Carlisle Crown Court heard how agency driver Richard Brown was delivering kitchen worktops to a Howden’s site in Workington when he was crushed to death as a forklift truck overturned while unloading his trailer.

An investigation into the incident that took place on 10 November 2014 found the forklift had been overloaded and that visiting delivery drivers were not kept at a safe distance from the loading and unloading operations.

Howden Joinery Ltd pleaded guilty to safety breaches and the company was fined £1.2m and ordered to pay costs of £33,902.00.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Steven Boyd said: “Standing too close to where loading or unloading work is being carried out can put people in harm’s way so people, such as delivery drivers, should be in a position of safety when forklift trucks are operating.

“This tragic incident could have been avoided if Howden Joinery Ltd had implemented a safe procedure to ensure that pedestrians were kept at a safe distance during loading and unloading work.

“Duty holders should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”