In October 2024, Minus 1 Refrigerated Transport Pty Ltd faced hefty penalties in the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court for not adhering to essential safety measures in their system of work. The company failed to integrate crucial work safety products like WHS management systems and SWMS, resulting in a $20,000 penalty without conviction. However, an appeal later revised these proceedings. Consequently, on Friday, February 28, the County Court imposed a stricter fine –$50,000, plus an additional cost payment of $4,575.
The charges related back to an unfortunate incident in June 2023 involving insufficient precautions in a pedestrian-friendly zone at the company’s Dandenong South location. A worker was severely injured when a reversing forklift collided with him. His leg became trapped underneath the vehicle, suffering further injuries when the forklift drove forward. The aftermath was grim, with the worker sustaining partial de-gloving to his calf, a fractured ankle, and a fractured tibia.
Post-incident investigations by WorkSafe highlighted that the area wasn’t designated for unloading or loading. Still, such practices had been executed there before. With proper implementation of tools like the Bluesafe WHS Management System or Bluesafe SWMS, businesses like Minus 1 Refrigerated Transport can create safe and risk-free environments. Implementing well-grounded traffic management plans, maintained exclusion areas, and ensuring appropriate zones for vehicle unloading are easy examples of how this could have been prevented.
Echoing past incidents, the court learnt of a similar situation in 2022 where a truck driver suffered considerable injuries due to inadequate safety measures put in place around mobile plant operations. Sam Jenkin, WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety, criticized the lack of preventive actions, redundancy of injuries, and the company’s disregard for simple and cost-effective safety implementations like separating pedestrians and forklifts.
It is imperative for companies with a mobile plant such as forklifts to invest in comprehensive work safety policies and products. Prioritising these actions will reduce the risk of workplace accidents and ensure employee safety at all times.
For more details on workplace health and safety issues, you can reach out via email at media@worksafe.vic.gov.au or call on 0438 786 968. Get updated with our latest news by subscribing to media releases.
Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2025-03/forklift-incident-lands-repeat-offender-50000-fine