A Melbourne court has fined Logistics Pty Ltd $40,000 after a warehouse incident in May 2020 in which a forklift hit a truck driver.
The company pleaded guilty to one charge of failing to ensure a safe workplace after the forklift exited through a roller door, coinciding with a truck driver entering. The forklift then reversed into the warehouse, hitting the truck driver and crushing his left leg.
Following an investigation, WorkSafe found that the company should have implemented a traffic management plan to control vehicle and people movement in the area.
They also should have ensured truck drivers were aware of the traffic management plan, inducted new workers, used barriers to separate people from forklifts, and improved visibility.
Appropriate controls include having a traffic management plan, physically separating pedestrians from machinery, using signs and barriers, addressing visibility issues, having qualified operators, conducting regular equipment inspections, and consulting with HSRs.