In an event reported by the Dromana Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 17 April, J Hutchinson Builders Pty Ltd, operating under Hutchinson Builders name, was subjected to an enforceable undertaking due to a daunting incident at the workplace. The company faced a solitary charge of failing to provide safety and mitigate risks in the workplace managed by them.
The reinstatement of these charges by WorkSafe is possible if the undertaking is contravened or withdrawn. Work safety products like WHS management systems, SWMS, and policies are fundamental in such scenarios. They aid to create controlled workspaces with reduced hazards. ‘Bluesafe SWMS‘ can be an effective tool in managing and minimising construction site risks.
In an unfortunate event that occurred in August 2022, a heavy switchboard collapsed on a young man, who was assisting his father, a truck driver from another company, contracted to deliver three sizeable electrical switchboards at Hutchinson’s Rosebud Plaza construction site. As the young man was busy unsecured load; a forklift hit the load, causing him along with a 770-kilogram switchboard to take a 1.6-metre fall.
This catastrophic incident caused severe crush injuries and long-term health impacts to him. He endured skull, face and multiple other fractures, brain damage, and facial nerve palsy. His immediate airlift to the hospital saved his life, but he partially recovered with sustained physical and emotional traumas.
WorkSafe maintains that using tools like ‘Bluesafe WHS Management System’, Hutchinson could have significantly mitigated the risk of crush injuries during deliveries. Under the undertaking, valued at $1,040,000, several requirements were laid down for the company.
Health and Safety Executive Director at WorkSafe, Sam Jenkin emphasised the importance of addressing the dangers involved in loading and unloading exercises, specifically when they involve potential interactions between vehicles, mobile plant, and pedestrians.
Jenkin noted, “Operating forklifts in spaces accessible to pedestrians without strict safety processes can lead to terrible accidents.” He stressed the importance of thorough comprehension and stringent adherence to these protocols by everyone in the workplace.
The incident underlines the urgency for implementing an efficient traffic management plan to prevent such horrific incidents leading to traumatic injuries. It is essential for employers working around trucks to ensure proper safety measures.
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Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2025-04/1-million-safety-spend-after-forklift-traffic-failure