Two people have been fined €2,000 each following an accident which left a person suffering from lower limb paralysis following an occupational accident on April 18, 2011.

A court heard how unsecured loads were being transported by a forklift truck operator when halfway through the operation, the loads started shifting. A customer and another worker tried to keep the loads from falling but they fell onto the customer who in turn slipped and hit his head against a wall.

Occupational Health and Safety Authority chairman Deo Debattista said this was an entirely preventable injury caused by negligent behaviour and unsafe work practices.

He said it should serve as a reminder of the inherent dangers of such operations, particularly in cases where forklift operators were not provided with the necessary training, information, instruction and supervision.

The prosecution was led by Police Inspector Edmond Cuschieri and legal procurator David Saliba on behalf of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority.