Darrin John Brown, 56, Jeld-Wen Stapylton ex-manager, fined for forklift leg amputation accident

A former Logan warehouse manager at an international building manufacturer has been fined after accidentally running over a worker with a forklift. The victim’s leg was later amputated.

Darrin John Brown leaving Beenleigh Magistrates Courthouse with partner on September 27, 2023.

A Logan warehouse manager has pleaded guilty to failing to comply with safety standards after accidentally running over his employee with a forklift, leaving the worker so badly injured his leg was amputated.

Darrin John Brown, 56, was a manager at Jeld-Wen’s Burnside Rd, Stapylton, warehouse before leaving the company after the forklift incident on February 14, 2022.

Mr Brown appeared in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Wednesday, September 27 where he pleaded guilty to one category-two charge of failure to comply with a health and safety duty.

Jeld-Wen Australia Proprietary Limited is a foreign-owned company which distributes windows, doors, shower screens and wardrobes.

The court heard Brown engaged co-worker Andrew Hancock as a “spotter’’ and tasked him with unloading glass with a forklift from a delivery truck.

Mr Hancock was told to put his hands on the glass to stabilise the load, which was on top of the forklift tynes, while Brown manoeuvred it up a driveway towards the warehouse.

This was repeated several times while delivering products to the factory.

But as the final pack of glass was being moved by Mr Brown, Mr Hancock stumbled and the wheel of the forklift went over his lower leg.

Mr Brown stopped the forklift immediately and called for help.

Darrin John Brown leaving Beenleigh Magistrates Courthouse on September 27, 2023.

Mr Hancock was transported to hospital in a serious condition where his left leg was later amputated just below the knee. He also had a large cut to his left arm.

The court heard that as part of Mr Brown’s managerial duties he conducted safety talks for his workplace with specific talks held in March 2021 regarding forklift safety.

Mr Brown during the safety meeting in March 2021 about forklift safety he advised workers not to walk beside a moving forklift and always check with operators to ensure employees and pedestrians were at a safe distance.

He pleaded guilty to a Workplace Safety and Health Act charge of failing to comply as a worker with safety standards to protect himself and co-workers. It is separate to the duty owed by the company.

The court heard Mr Brown had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder since the incident and was undergoing therapy.

Before then he had never suffered mental health challenges and worked in many different fields including as a jackaroo and miner.

Jeld-Wen's Stapylton facility where the accident happened.

The court heard Mr Brown was triggered by the sight of a forklift and was receiving Workcover payments as he had not returned to full-time work.

He worked two days a week at a landscaping business while he continued with therapy to help resolve his mental health issues.

Magistrate Michael O‘Driscoll said it was clearly an unfortunate accident.

“There is no doubt this is a very serious matter with serious consequences both for the victim, Mr Hancock, and you, Mr Brown,” Magistrate O‘Driscoll said.

“Clearly it was not planned. As the factory manager, quite simply you should have known better.

“I accept his (Mr Brown’s) regret and remorse.

“I’m sure if you could go back in time you would have taken alternative steps, but you can’t.”

He was convicted and fined $15,000 and also ordered to pay $1500 in professional costs and $101.40 in court costs.

No conviction was recorded.