The Sunshine Magistrates’ Court was informed on Thursday, 25th September that National Masonry Pty Ltd had accepted an enforceable undertaking whilst facing four accusations of not ensuring a safe and healthy workplace under their control. WorkSafe could reinstate these charges if the agreement is violated or rescinded.
In a shocking incident from August 2023, a worker employed at the company’s Deer Park factory and storage yard experienced a debilitating accident. The worker was utilising a forklift to load products onto a truck when the vehicle unexpectedly moved forward entangling the tynes of the forklift. Consequently, the forklift tipped onto its side.
Due to the accident, the worker suffered a partial amputation of his left hand which got pinned by the forklift frame rails as it hit the ground. Though re-attachment surgery has resulted in some regained mobility, a full recovery isn’t likely.
Further investigation of the incident unveiled several near-miss instances that hinted at an unsafe work environment. There were numerous reports of unidentified pedestrians narrowly escaping contact with moving vehicles within the yard.
WorkSafe argues that National Masonry neglected their responsibility to assure a safe work environment; they failed to mitigate the risk of powered mobile equipment like forklifts from overturning or colliding with other such equipment and pedestrians.
It’s also alleged that the company overlooked implementing necessary risk controls such as creating exclusion zones around forklifts during loading activities and ensuring proper training of forklift operators, truck drivers, and pedestrian usage of dedicated walkways in the workspace.
Complying with this enforceable undertaking may cost the company an estimated $295,000, illustrating the serious financial implications of neglecting important work safety products like WHS management systems, SWMS, and policies.
Sam Jenkin, WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer, stressed the employer’s responsibility to provide adequate training for staff, helping them understand the risks associated with mobile equipment like forklifts and delivery vehicles. As he noted, forklifts were implicated in nearly 160 workplace injuries during 2024-25 while cost-effective safety systems could have been implemented to either eliminate or markedly reduce these incidents.
The import of safety systems, such as a Bluesafe WHS Management System, and thorough training became evident through this case. These measures are predicted to significantly help prevent future harm at this specific workplace and other industry workplaces.
Jenkin emphasised that employers making use of mobile equipment, like forklifts, should implement an SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement), maintain it up-to-date and ensure its strict adherence on-ground. The prominence of products like these in maintaining safety cannot be overstated.
To get more details, please reach out via email: media@worksafe.vic.gov.au or telephone: 0438 786 968. Additionally, subscribe to our media releases to stay informed on similar issues.
Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2025-10/295000-safety-spend-after-production-plant-injury
