Prevent Forklift Accidents: Essential Safety Solutions for Your Workplace
A fine imposed on a refrigerated transport and storage company after a worker was seriously injured by a forklift has been more than doubled to $50,000.
Forklifts are essential in warehouses, factories, and logistics centers.
But without proper safety measures, they can become a serious hazard.
Every week, at least one worker in Australia is seriously injured in a forklift-related accident.
In fact, a recent case in Victoria took place where a refrigerated transport company was fined $50,000 after a worker suffered severe leg injuries from a reversing forklift.
Even worse?
This wasn't the company's first offense—another worker had been injured in a similar incident just a year earlier.
A Preventable Workplace Forklift Incident
The forklift dragged the worker's leg under its wheels, then moved forward and ran over it again.
The injuries were severe:
✅ Partial de-gloving of the calf
✅ Fractured ankle
✅ Fractured tibia
This was not the first time the company had faced safety issues related to forklifts.
In fact, a similar incident occurred in 2022, where a truck driver was struck by a reversing forklift and suffered broken ribs and fractured vertebrae.
Despite the repeated warnings, the company failed to improve its safety procedures, ultimately resulting in a $50,000 fine following an appeal.
Investigators found that the loading and unloading happened in an unsafe area without proper traffic management.
Even worse, the company had already been fined for a nearly identical forklift incident in 2022.
In that case, a truck driver suffered broken ribs and fractured vertebrae after being hit by a reversing forklift.
WorkSafe's Investigation Into The Forklift Accident
WorkSafe's investigation into the incident revealed that the driveway area where the unloading took place was not a designated loading and unloading zone, though the practice had occurred there multiple times before.
The lack of proper traffic management and pedestrian safety protocols led to this avoidable accident.
A clear exclusion zone of at least three meters between pedestrians and forklifts should have been enforced to reduce the risk.
Why Forklift Accidents Happen - And How To Prevent Them
This case serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences businesses can face when safety measures are neglected.
According to WorkSafe, over one worker a week is seriously injured in forklift-related incidents.
This statistic underscores how critical it is for employers to implement proper safety measures and traffic management plans to prevent accidents before they occur.
The good news?
These incidents are 100% preventable.
At Barrier Group, we specialize in proven forklift safety solutions that keep pedestrians and forklifts safely separated.
Essential Forklift Safety Solutions
✅ Bollards – Create physical barriers between workers and forklifts.
Our Shock Absorbing Bollards are designed to reduce the impact of forklift collisions, protecting pedestrians and equipment.
✅ Guardrails & Handrails – Products like W-Beam Guardrail and Ball-Fence with Menni help separate high-risk areas from pedestrian walkways, preventing direct contact between people and moving vehicles.
✅ High-Visibility Signage – Ensure forklift routes, pedestrian zones, and restricted areas are clearly marked with Barrier Group's safety signage solutions.
✅ Traffic Management Systems – A well-designed traffic flow system reduces collision risks.
Our Linemarking Services help businesses create clear pathways that direct forklift and foot traffic safely.
Case Study: Preventing Forklift Accidents In A Warehouse Logistics Facility
A well-known warehouse logistics company located in Melbourne was also facing similar safety challenges in its operations.
This company handled large volumes of stock and utilised forklifts extensively for unloading, stacking, and moving inventory.
They had experienced a near-miss accident when a forklift reversed into an area where pedestrians were not separated from the vehicle's path. Fortunately, no one was injured, but it was a wake-up call for the management team.
Read the full case study: Leading Public Health Logistics Company
Protect Your Workplace From Forklifts Today
Forklift accidents don't just cause injuries and lawsuits.
They damage your company's reputation, productivity, and bottom line.
🚨 Don't wait for an accident to happen.
Let Barrier Group help you implement the right safety solutions to keep your workers safe and your business compliant.
📞 Contact us today for a free onsite assessment of your business and to discuss how we can help prevent forklift-related incidents in your workplace.
Trusted by Australia's Largest Brands for Workplace Safety Solutions. Shouldn't you be next?
Original Article: Worksafe Victoria
