Worker Crushed to Death by Forklift

HSEWatch Info Update

A worker was found guilty in connection with the death of a coworker who was crushed by a forklift load at a facility close to Geelong.

In Geelong County Court, 53-year-old Michael Gorman entered a guilty plea for neglecting to consider the health and safety of another individual who his actions at work might impact.

According to a WorkSafe representative, in October 2021, Gorman and his coworker were using a forklift to remove a steel rack from a shed in the maintenance area of their Lara business that included many pieces of sheet metal weighing more than a tonne.

According to the court, Gorman was using the forklift on an uneven surface when the other worker, who was serving as a spotter nearby, was crushed to death by the unbalanced load.

According to a WorkSafe inquiry, Gorman earned a forklift high-risk license two years prior, which required him to pass an evaluation proving he recognized that using a forklift close to people posed a safety concern.

Less than a year before the deadly incident, he had also finished a forklift safety introduction at work, according to the investigation, which included instructions to keep three meters away from an operating forklift.

Gorman acknowledged that he did not exercise reasonable caution when he used the forklift to move an unsafe and unsecured load without making sure the other worker was a safe distance away.

The tragedy served as a heartbreaking reminder that everyone had a duty to ensure each other’s safety at work, according to Sam Jenkin, Executive Director of Health and Safety at WorkSafe.

Employers are undoubtedly responsible for creating a safe workplace, but employees also have a responsibility to make sure their behavior doesn’t endanger other employees, Mr. Jenkin stated.

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“This worker must now deal with the horrible consequences of failing to keep his colleague safe, even though he had the necessary training, credentials, and experience to do so.”

After being found guilty, Mr. Gorman was given a six-month good behavior bond.