$200k fine for forklift fatality

A Victorian company was convicted and fined $200,000 for workplace safety failings which caused the death of a forklift driver.

Irymple company SDS Beverages Food and Wine pleaded guilty to one charge laid under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

A 44-year"old forklift driver died on 8 November 2005 when his machine tipped onto its side after striking a roof support pole. He was not wearing a seatbelt and was crushed by the machine.

WorkSafe's investigation found the roof support poles had been struck a number of times by forklifts and that workers had backed into poles because of inadequate space.

Although incident reports were created in respect of these events, SDS was unable to produce any documentation recording these previous incidents or any remedial action taken.

A traffic management plan was put in place and staff were given training after the death.