Incident at work, who is responsible?

[Snow]

Hi everyone!!! I need some help. 2 weeks ago, my husband had an incident at work. He is a forklift driver. He started his job as always, he clocked in, jumped on the forklift and started to move the pallets around the warehouse. He actually forgot that company let one of the lorry drivers park his car in the warehouse when he comes to work (just to do not leave the case outside all night and few morning hours before he will come back from drive) and my husband hit the car with the fork. It wasn’t done on purpose; he actually didn’t see him. He didn’t break the bumper, however there is few scratches and it must be done. He told the manager what happened, but no one took any statement, but now they want him to pay. My question is, if this happened during work hour, it wasn’t done on purpose – it was an accident, can the company charge him to fix it. His manager argues back he will disciplinary dismiss my husband and that a driver had company permission for last 24 years to park a private car in the warehouse. Scratches can be easily fixed by the company mechanic (£150), but the car’s owner wife said she wants this to be done in Seat dealer for £1400, because its her car. Please tell me who is responsible for paying. It was a private car parked in company warehouse, if the company agreed they should pay, I think. Can they dismiss my husband for it? Company agreed the driver to drive the car now as well, if he scratches the car even more, it be hard to prove it, as only we have some photos. Thank you for

[ULA]

What policies does the company have in place with regard to accidents whilst operating a forklift? Does your husband know the kind of insurance cover that the company has in place?

[Snow]

Thanks for response. I dont know but i have requested Company Handbook to be emailed to me. As soon as i have it i will check.

[ULA]

Ok, once you have the information if you have any questions then just come back to this thread.