Forklift Accident Prompts HSE to Call for Thorough Check of Workers’ Credentials
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has urged employers to check the credentials of workers thoroughly before employing them. The HSE’s call comes after a forklift truck driver, who had given false documents to get a job, was fined by the court for grievously injuring another person at work. The
The accident occurred on October 10, 2007, when Damon Alex McLachlan was working at a house construction site in Livingston,
HSE Inspector Bruce Monaghan was of the view that such an accident was quite predictable. He said the driver had failed to deploy the stabilizers even when he knew the banksman was standing quite close. He pointed out that if the machine operators fail to adhere to correct working procedures and commit such serious omissions, then such accidents are likely to reoccur.
According to Monaghan, such accidents highlight that employers owning forklift trucks should meticulously check the qualifications of their employees. Monaghan said that the evidence of training, competence and experience can be counterfeited by providing false information, and that companies should be alert of any such a possibility to avoid the occurrence of similar accidents.
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