Paramedics fought to save the critically injured worker, who was trapped underneath the stacker fork-lift vehicle, while fire crews tried to free him using specialist inflatable equipment. But he had suffered serious head injuries and died just after midnight at the Merseyside Coatings factory. A Health and Safety executive investigation has been launched.

Merseyside Coatings Ltd is situated on a 3.5 acre site with three workshops of around 60,000sq ft.

A spokesman for Merseyside Coatings Ltd said: "We are all devastated about what happened and a full investigation is underway.

"All we can say for now is that a fork-lift truck appears to have overturned, causing the accident. We are still investigating how this happened."

4 million workers each year suffer some form of work related ill-health, up to 3,000 are killed in incidents in connection with work and 20,000 die from occupational diseases. Penalties for Health & Safety breaches - even if they kill or maim workers - are still derisory. The rate of workplace inspections carried out by HSE Inspectors is now so low that on average companies can expect a visit only once in every 17 years. Meanwhile, the government's new Corporate Manslaughter Bill has been welcomed by bosses' union the CBI - a sure sign that it will not further the interests of the working class.

For analysis of death in the workplace, please visit:
 http://www.catalystmedia.org.uk/issues/nerve7/asbestos_sg.htm
 http://www.catalystmedia.org.uk/issues/nerve8/lost_souls.htm

For more information on ensuring safety at work, please visit:  http://www.hazardscampaign.org.uk/index.htm