The overloading of a fork lift truck was the "primary cause" of a fatal incident involving a delivery driver in Workington, an inquest heard.

Andrew Crouch, health and safety inspector, released his inspection findings on the third day of the inquest for Richard Andrew Brown.

Lorry driver Mr Brown, aged 48, died after getting trapped between a fork lift truck, with heavy pallets on, and his vehicle. It happened at Howdens Joinery at Clay Flatts, on November 10, 2014.

An inquest, with a jury, is being held at Cleator Moor Civic Hall this week.

The jury has already heard that Mr Brown, of Bristol Road, Hull, had delivered goods to the Workington depot.

Alan Howlett, fork lift truck driver, said he lifted two pallets of worktops and the lift truck tipped forward.

He said Mr Brown, who was initially about two metres away, moved between the pallets on the lift truck and his vehicle. Subsequently Mr Brown became trapped. He died at the scene.

Today (Wednesday), Mr Couch said investigations were carried out after the fatal incident.

He concluded: "There was no reason to believe there was a fault with the fork lift truck that was liable to have contributed to the incident."

He said the worktops weighed 2,160kg but the maximum permissible load was 1,520kg. "Therefore, the lift truck was overloaded by around 42 per cent. This was the primary cause of the incident," said Mr Crouch.

He said it would have been "reasonably practicable to have unloaded two pallets of worktops separately to avoid overloading the lift truck".

Mr Crouch also said the lifting operation of the pallets was "poorly planned and unsafely executed".

And he said: "As a visiting driver Mr Brown should have been safely segregated from the fork lift truck operating areas."

Related: Inquest continues into death of delivery driver in Workington

Related: Inquest starts into death of delivery driver in Workington

Evidence was also given by David Attenborough, head of health and safety trade at Howdens.

He said immediately after the incident the firm reinforced health and safety policies to lorry and fork lift truck drivers.

Since then the firm has introduced numerous measures.

Mr Attenborough said the manager now ensures the unloading process is carried out safely and there are new safety signs on the back of fork lift trucks. An overload and alarm system has been introduced and a new 4X4 rule has been brought in for the unloading process.

The inquest continues.