Fatal Forklift Truck Incident Underscores Importance of Thorough Pre-Use Checks and Seatbelt Enforcement
A delivery driver has tragically died in a forklift truck accident at a plant hire company depot in West Yorkshire, a devastating reminder of how avoidable workplace transport incidents still occur when equipment checks and safe systems of work fall short.
What Happened
On 20 November 2023, Chris Keegan, 67, was reversing a forklift truck onto a trailer in the early hours at the Castleford depot of Hessle Plant Ltd. The truck fell from the edge of the trailer, throwing Mr Keegan from the seat. He became trapped between the forklift chassis and a neighbouring trailer and died at the scene despite emergency response efforts.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found significant safety failings that directly contributed to this fatality: HSE Media Centre
The forklift truck had not been fully inspected after repair work and had defects that should have been detected before it was returned into use. HSE Media Centre
The company only carried out full pre-delivery inspections for new customers, but not on machines coming back from hire, leaving a gap in safety checks. HSE Media Centre
Seatbelts were rarely worn by operators, and no effective supervision system was in place to enforce their use — a factor the HSE highlighted as critical, since the outcome could have been very different if Mr Keegan had been belted in. HSE Media Centre
HSE Inspector David Beaton described the incident as “tragic and preventable,” stressing that proper inspection regimes and compliance with basic safety practices such as seatbelt use must be non-negotiable on every site.
Legal Outcome
Hessle Plant Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £433,550, ordered to pay costs of £8,146.80 and a £2,000 victim surcharge at Leeds Magistrates’ Court.
This tragic case highlights several core safety principles that all companies involved with plant and workplace transport must reinforce: HSE Media Centre
Pre-use inspections matter: Machines coming back from hire or repair must receive the same level of inspection and sign-off as new deliveries. HSE Media Centre
Seatbelt enforcement saves lives: Where forklifts are fitted with seatbelts, operators must wear them every time — and employers must have systems to ensure compliance. HSE Media Centre
Supervision and safety culture count: Regular checks, clear responsibilities and a culture that puts safety first help ensure that plant-related risks are managed and controlled on every shift.
Read the full HSE article here: “Wonderful, kind and generous man” killed in forklift truck incident →
Related Compliance Topics
Useful links for more information
WHAT WE OFFER
At Plant and Safety Ltd, we help organisations reduce the risk of incidents like this by offering:
How can we help?
To learn more or if you have any questions, please feel free to call or email us. You can also request a call back using our online form.
T: 0330 113 7920
E: sales@plantandsafety.co.uk
Useful Links