An Esperance transport company has been fined $58,000 after a worker’s hand was crushed between two containers while he used a forklift without a proper license.

Mineral Trans Pty Ltd, owner of the Esperance-based Cranes Haulage business, appeared in Esperance Magistrates Court on Friday regarding the 2014 incident.

The court heard the Cranes Haulage employee had been driving a truck carrying two empty sea containers locked together with twist locks to the company's Esperance yard when the incident happened.

He was met by the company’s general manager, and attempted to release the twist locks that attached the top sea container to the bottom one when the top container became stuck.

During the efforts to seperate them, his hand was crushed between the two.