Fine issued after man crushed by forklift

A logistics company has been fined $40,000 after a man’s leg was crushed by a forklift.

Searoad Logistics Pty Ltd was hit with the fine and was ordered to pay a further $9,870 in costs at the Melbourne Magistrates’s Court, however, no conviction was recorded.

It comes after the company pleaded guilty to one charge of breaching the Occupational Health and Safety Act as a result of the incident.

The incident

It's understood the incident occurred at a Port Melbourne warehouse back in May 2020. The forklift had been driven out of a roller door before a truck driver walked into the warehouse through the same door.

While the truck driver was walking along the marked path, the forklift operator reversed the machine back into the warehouse, striking the truck driver and crushing his leg.

WorkSafe Victoria’s investigation of the incident determined a traffic management plan should have been in place.

The incident

Implementing a traffic management plan can help to reduce the risks of an incident like this occurring at your workplace, as it will aid in the identification of hazards, and determination of control measures. Some of the measures of a traffic management plan that may be effective in a similar situation include:

• Separating pedestrians from areas of machinery operation. Where possible, eliminating the risk of machinery and pedestrians coming into contact with one another is one of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of this type of incident.

• Using clear signage to indicate pedestrian walkways. In cases where pedestrians and machinery cannot be fully separated, consider implementing highly visible signage such as flashing lights or electronic signs to identify pedestrian areas, and alert machinery operators to be vigilant in these areas.

• Separate pedestrians and machinery. Physical barriers such as fencing, boom gates or bollards can help to reduce the risk of a pedestrian coming into contact with machinery.

• Ensure the traffic management plan is understood by all workers. Training and communication with workers and visitors to your site will help to ensure all pedestrians and machinery operators are aware of and understand the rules within the plan.

Want to know more about keeping people safe around machinery?

Our team of machinery experts are here to help! Simply contact us by phoning 1300 728 852 or emailing info@assessor.com.au for more information.

Disclaimer: This information is intended to provide general information on the subject matter. This is not intended as legal or expert advice for your specific situation. You should seek professional advice before acting or relying on the content of this information.