Forklift Operator Fatality

Posted: Wednesday 6th, November 2013

A fork lift truck driver was killed when the vehicle he was driving overturned and
crushed him, an inquest has heard.

Mohammed Yasin was working at Recycled Paper UK Ltd in Wednesfield, when
he became trapped under the fork lift truck he was using to stack bales of paper.
The 37-year-old died at the scene after suffering multiple injuries.

The inquest heard that management had failed to provide crucial safety
documents relating to the training of Mr Yasin, including his forklift driver’s
certificate.

Black Country Senior Coroner Robin Balmain heard that there were several
factors involved, and concluded that Mr Yasin’s death was accidental.

The HSE's expert Dr Dominic Swan said Mr Yasin was not wearing a seatbelt at
the time of the accident on 4th January 2013.

It was stated in court that Mr Yasin had received insufficient training to operate a
fork lift truck, that the company's management had failed to implement a proper
health and safety procedure, and had not communicated the health and safety
policy to all staff.

In response, Recycled Paper UK boss Chater Pal Jandu said it was a "constant
battle" to get staff to wear seatbelts, and that Mr Yasin’s forklift driver’s certificate
had been destroyed in a fire.