Frances Reynolds is the reversing beep on a forklift was disabled moments before it crashed into her
A Gold Coast chicken abattoir had disabled the reversing beep on a forklift before it ran over a woman and injured her so severely she was unable to return to work, according to court documents.
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A GOLD Coast chicken abattoir had disabled the reversing beep on a forklift before it ran over a woman and injured her so severely she was unable to return to work, according to court documents.
Frances Reynolds is suing Gemfire Pty Ltd, who own Nerang Poultry Park, in the Southport District Court for more than $356,000 for the November 2016 accident which she says degloved her right leg and broke her ankle.
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The civil claim comes about a year after the abattoir was fined $90,000 for breaching their workplace health and safety duty by turning off the reversing beeper.
Ms Reynolds, who is now 69, was carrying a box of glue to the box room when a forklift driver reversed and swerved, colliding with her and knocking her over before reversing over her leg about 5.15am on November 16, 2016, it is claimed in court documents.
After she was knocked down, the driver kept reversing, she claims.
The collision allegedly degloved her leg, fractured her ankle and needed months in hospital and multiple surgeries.
According to court documents Nerang Park Poultry had ordered the reversing beeper be deactivated between 7pm and 7am.
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Ms Reynolds claims the forklift did not have a flashing light or a horn installed and she was not provided with high visibility clothing.
“(The driver) … failed to keep a property lookout when reversing the forklift towards the pallet,” according to court documents filed on Ms Reynolds’ behalf.
There was also no barrier between the walkway and the forklift track, it is alleged.
Ms Reynolds had previously complained about the driver speeding in the forklift but Nerang Park Poultry did not warn him to slow down, the court documents allege.
Prior to the incident Ms Reynolds lived on her own and intended to work until at least 70.
She has been unable to return to work and lost her job at the poultry abattoir in June last year.
Nerang Poultry Park declined to comment and they are yet to lodge a defence.
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