The owner and driver of a forklift truck were each fined €2,000 for negligence after tins of paint being transported into a store fell on a man paralysing him from the chest downwards.

The court found forklift owner Emanuel Vassallo and Anthony Seisun, the driver, guilty of causing serious injuries to one of their clients and breaching health and safety regulations.

The accident happened on April 18, 2011 when a client hired the services of Mr Vassallo to transport paint. The client, an importer, wanted to move the paint into his store in Mosta.

As Mr Seisun manoeuvred the forklift onto a low pavement to get into the store, it tipped sideways and the unsecured tins fell. The client tried to hold the tins in place. He tripped over one of the tins, fell backwards and hit his head against a low wall, hurting his neck and his spine.

Magistrate Anthony Vella noted that Mr Seisun had a licence to drive the forklift but was not provided with safety training. The forklift should not have been driven on the pavement without the necessary safety precautions being taken and the tins were not secured in place.

Occupational Health and Safety Authority chairman Deo Debattista said: “The risks associated with operation of forklifts and travelling with loads are well known, yet it seems that some still choose to disregard safety measures. This was an entirely preventable injury caused by negligent behaviour and unsafe work practices.”