Federal safety regulator begins court proceedings against Linfox after serious forklift accident
December 2, 2009
Proceedings in the Federal Court have begun against Linfox over a forklift incident in Western Australia which seriously injured an employee.
The federal safety regulator, Comcare, alleges Linfox contravened workplace safety laws by failing to take all “reasonably practicable” steps to protect the health and safety of its employees at work.
The incident occurred at Washpool on December 19, 2007 when a Linfox forklift operator moved a loaded container weighing 32,000kg.
Comcare alleges the container struck a stack of stationary rail containers 8 metres above ground, causing the forklift to turn over and crushing the operating cabin. The employee’s legs and arms were crushed.
Linfox faces a maximum penalty of $242,000 if found guilty.
A spokesman for the transport and logistics operator would not comment when contacted by ATN except to say that safety is the company’s highest priority.