Firm fined over worker's death

The firm had pleaded not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court

A building firm has been fined £150,000 after one of its employees was run over and killed by a forklift truck.

Harold Moran, 54, was knocked down as the truck reversed out of a compound at the site at Ashdown Downs in Kirkby, Merseyside, in September 2000.

On Monday, McLean Homes North West and Cheshire Ltd was fined £150,000 and ordered to pay £56,017 costs after being found guilty of a breach of health and safety regulations.

The firm had pleaded not guilty, but was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court.

Mr Moran was struck by the truck as he walked across a gateway at the site, where 91 homes were being built, and died at the scene.

'Analyse dangers'

The Health and Safety Executive is warning other firms about the importance of managing vehicle safety.

Neil Jamieson, Health and Safety Executive inspector, said: "On average around 70 people are killed and 1,200 seriously injured each year in workplace transport accidents.

"These accidents are mainly caused by people being struck or run over by moving vehicles when reversing particularly in areas where people are not properly segregated from vehicle movements.

"It is vital that managers of all types of workplace - not only construction sites - analyse the potential dangers posed by workplace transport and then take suitable safety measures to avoid these risks."