WorkSafe attended the workplace following the incident and observed that the offender had failed to demarcate a driver safety zone which ensured that truck drivers were segregated from forklifts during the task of loading vehicles.
By its plea, the offender acknowledged that it failed to provide a safe system of work for the task of loading and unloading vehicles at the workplace which:
- Required there to be no movement of machinery and persons at the same time within the area in which the forklift was used to load/unload;
- Required transport drivers to be located in an area that was free from interaction between equipment, machinery and persons (the driver safety zone) before the task was commenced; and
- Required transport drivers who attended the workplace to be instructed in relation to the loading and unloading exclusion zones, and in particular, the need to remain within the driver safety zone while the activity took place
The incident highlights critical safety failings that could have prevented the accident. Forklifts are essential tools in our industry, but they come with serious risks. Ensuring that clear safety protocols are in place, such as segregating drivers from forklifts, is not just best practice—it’s a matter of life and death.
Let’s take this as a stark reminder of the importance of forklift safety. Review your workplace procedures, make necessary adjustments, and always prioritise safety to avoid devastating consequences.