Linfox fined over worker's crushed skull

Heavy freight operator Linfox has been fined $90,000 after an employee's head was crushed during a workplace accident.

Darren Southam suffered extensive injuries when he was hit by a forklift while unloading pallets inside a shipping container at an Ikea distribution centre in October 2011.

His head was crushed between the load of cardboard pallets on the forklift and the inside wall of the shipping container.

On Thursday, the Federal Court declared Linfox breached the Work Health and Safety Act by failing to take all reasonably practicable steps to protect its employees.

Federal Court Judge Geoffrey Flick said the $90,000 penalty would shift "the economic calculus in favour of taking necessary steps to ameliorate the risk of OH&S incidents generally".

The company was also ordered to pay court costs.

Mr Southam has returned to work, a Linfox spokeswoman said.

"The employee concerned was supported throughout his recovery," she said.

"The business fully co-operated with the Comcare investigation."