DEATH OF A REACH-TRUCK DRIVER

Death of a Reach-truck Driver



Death of a Reach-truck Driver

Introduction

This case is about the death of a reach truck Mr. M who was crushed to death under racking at a warehouse in Suffolk. The racking collapsed when the reach-truck Mr. M was driving touched the racking where he was placing one-tone sacks of metal powder.

Mr. M was an experienced driver having a two years driving experience, but he had no license. The company had no formal procedure for inspecting the racking or replacement of damaged racking.

Causes of Accident

The main cause for the accident was the misplacement of the racking of one-tone sacks for metal powder. Another reason was the lack of driving experience of Mr. A, who was just a two years experienced driver and did not even have the driving license.

Strong management commitment, good employee involvement and a well structured management system can prevent many workplace accidents. Here are some guidelines from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work for reducing those slips, trips and falls and other workplace accidents (BILLO, 2004).

Every year nearly five million people in the European Union suffer workplace accidents resulting in more than three days' absence, amounting to around 146 million working days lost. Some effects are permanent, affecting people's ability to work and life outside work. Work related accidents occur in all industries and include slips and trips, falls, falling objects, sharp and hot objects, and accidents involving vehicles and machinery. Yet many of the problems can be prevented with good management (SCHNEIER, 2005). Employers are required to assess risks and take practical measures to protect the safety and health of their workers, keep accident records, provide information and training, consult employees and cooperate and co-ordinate measures with contractors. A hierarchy of prevention is set including: avoid risks; combat risks at source; adapt work to the worker; replace the dangerous with the non-dangerous and, give collective measures priority over individual measures. Workers have a right to receive information about the risks to health and safety, preventive measures, first aid and emergency procedures. Employees have duties to co-operate actively with employers' preventive measures, following instructions in accordance with training given and taking care of their own and workmates' safety and health. Consulting the workforce is a requirement. Using their knowledge helps to ensure hazards are correctly spotted and workable solutions implemented. Worker representatives have an important role (PACELLE, 2005). Employees must be consulted on health and safety measures and also before the introduction of new technology or products. Consultation helps to ensure that workers are committed to safety and health procedures and improvements (MARKOFF, 2003). A structured approach to management ensures that risks are fully assessed and that safe methods of work are introduced and followed. Periodic review checks that these measures remain appropriate.

Legal/Enforcement Action

Following is the law against driving without license. N every state, traffic laws make it unlawful to operate a motor vehicle when:

* The vehicle operator has never been issued a driver's license ...