The District Court has imposed a fine of $12,000 plus reparation of $6,000 after an employee driving a forklift dropped a steal beam onto the foot of a worker of another company.  The worker lost two toes in the accident.

The company that employed the forklift driver needed to ensure that employees were aware of and following safe procedures by periodic checks to monitor compliance with the standard operating procedures.

The employer of the injured worker was also fined $21,000 and order to pay $11,000 reparation.  It need to ensure its workers were aware of safe operating procedures for forklift loading and monitor that on a systematic basis.

Alan Knowsley
Health & Safety Lawyer
Wellington