Delivery driver killed by pallet

Published: January 27, 2012

A Hampshire lift manufacturer has been fined £65,000 after a delivery driver was crushed to death against his own lorry by a fork lift truck.

Adam Millichip, from Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, was delivering sheet metal to Wessex Lift Co Ltd, in Romsey, on 16th November, 2007. Winchester Crown Court heard that the 27-year-old was hit by a one-tonne pallet, being moved by a fork lift truck, which crushed him against his lorry. The father of one was taken to Southampton hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Wessex Lift Co Ltd admitted admitted breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act, and must pay £60,000 costs.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed Mr Millichip, who was working for a Worcester-based haulage company, had parked the lorry at the side of the road, ready for the pallets to be offloaded by a fork lift truck. The forklift driver, employed by Wessex Lift Co Ltd, was using the forklift to manoeuvre one of the pallets, when it struck Mr Millichip across the chest and trapped him against the side of the lorry, the investigation found.

Mr Millichip suffered major internal organ failure as a result of crush injuries across his chest.

The HSE's investigation also found that inadequate controls were in place at the time of the incident to protect people from moving vehicles, and insufficient consideration had been given to the risks involved in offloading.

Following sentencing, HSE Inspector David Bibby said: "This tragic case highlights the importance of proper planning for deliveries, particularly around the risks of moving fork lift trucks."