BUILDER'S merchant DW Archer has been fined £7,000 after a worker lost the tips of two fingers in a forklift truck accident.

Robert Bourne had not received proper training to operate the vehicle before losing control and crashing at the company's Okus Road depot, Swindon magistrates heard.

The company, a subsidiary of building giant Travis Perkins, pleaded guilty to two offences under health and safety law when it appeared before magistrates yesterday.

Julian Moss, prosecuting for the Health and Safety Executive, said the accident happened on February 15 when Mr Bourne used a forklift truck to move some sacks of sawdust.

He said the 21-year-old had been taken on by the company as a wood machinist at the start of 2000 and last summer it was decided he should take on extra duties, including operating forklift trucks. But instead of being sent on an external course or being taught in-house by a qualified instructor, as national standards require, Mr Bourne was shown how to use the controls by another worker who watched as he practised. "He didn't take to the machine quickly and was found to be uncoordinated and put back on normal duties," said Mr Moss.

However, three weeks before the accident he was again shown how to operate the forklift. And on the day of the accident, he was given permission by the manager to use the vehicle after again being shown the controls.

"He was using the machine and needed to get big bags of sawdust removed. There was no-one in the immediate area who could do this," said Mr Moss. "He started it up and almost immediately lost control. He went in to the yard, veering to the left, and collided with a stack of timber.

"Either as he collided or tried to reverse away his hand became trapped between the safety frame of the cab and the timber."

Mr Moss said during the investigation he spoke to six other workers who regularly used forklift trucks. Only two had passed courses to use both types of vehicle and one had operated both without any formal training.

John McDonald, defending, said the company was upset to be convicted of the offences. On behalf of the company, he apologised to Mr Bourne for the injuries he suffered. Thankfully, he said, Mr Bourne was still able to work and was now employed in a computer shop.

He said that since the accident all workers had been sent on training courses to operate the vehicles and a proper risk assessment had been drawn up. The company has also been drawn closer to Travis Perkins and can call on its health and safety department.

DW Archer had a turnover of £34.5m last year and an operating profit of over £1m. It employs 25 people in Swindon.

The company pleaded guilty to failing to ensure sufficient training for staff and not having an adequate risk assessment. Magistrates fined it £3,500 for each offence, and ordered it to pay £1,561.75 towards costs.

David Simpson, spokesman for DW Archer, said after the case: "Travis Perkins puts health and safety and environmental issues at the very top of its priorities and would like to stress that incidents of this nature are extremely rare."