Worker Run Over by Fork Lift Truck has Leg Amputated
A worker’s leg had to be amputated after it was run over in an accident involving a fork lift truck.
Robert Deverell was injured in the accident whilst he was on the premises of Cargo Services (UK) Ltd at Cardiff Docks. The accident happened in June 2010, as the lorry driver’s vehicle was being loaded.
A fork lift truck was loading the lorry with 18 metre long steel beams. Mr Deverell waited for the last beam to be loaded before approaching the fork lift. However, as he reached the side of the fork lift, it reversed and hit him.
His right leg was run over by the truck in the accident, and resulted in such severe injuries that it had to be amputated below the knee. He also fractured his wrist in the collision.
Due to its serious nature, the accident was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive. They found that there was inadequate segregation of forklifts and lorry drivers at the site. They also found problems with the fork lift truck itself.
The reversing alarm and horn was defective, with records showing that the horn had been defective for a period of four years.
The company was prosecuted for breaking health and safety law in regards to the fork lift truck accident. They pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court last week, and were fined £110,000.
