The Minns Labor Government has taken a significant step towards improving work safety by initiating a month-long sector-wide commitment to the enforcement of workplace safety in October, specifically focussing on forklift safety. Over 250 SafeWork inspectors are set to traverse both regional and metropolitan NSW, performing unexpected assessments as part of this compliance blitz.
This operation is an integral component of National Safe Work Month, a response to several recent critical incidents and demises, including a heartbreaking forklift-related fatality in Sydney’s east last month. The movement towards safer workplaces necessitates utilising quality frameworks like Bluesafe WHS Management System.
Fixed machines, mobile plant, and vehicles – including forklifts – are under the spotlight of SafeWork NSW, acknowledged as one of their five regulatory focuses due to their substantial role in workplace injuries and fatalities. A worrying over 600 forklift incidents have been logged with SafeWork NSW since January 2024, resulting tragically in four fatalities. Approximately two-thirds of these incidents were categorised as dangerous, indicating the potential for harm despite no apparent injury to any workers.
The bulk of these forklift mishaps-70 per cent, predominantly occurred within the postal, warehousing, transport, and manufacturing industries. Typical forklift incidents include rollovers, collisions, and falling objects, often leading to severe, life-altering consequences.
The National Safe Work month’s Compliance Blitz will also emphasise other regulatory focus areas of SafeWork NSW, which pose the most considerable risk to worker safety. These points underline the importance of comprehensive strategies involving works safety products like SWMS, policies and Bluesafe WHS management systems.
Workers and business owners can access a wealth of resources to mitigate forklift-related risks on SafeWork NSW website, as well as obtaining broader information about National Safe Work Month from the Safe Work Australia website.
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis pronounced the urgent necessity for prioritising safety, particularly among forklift operators. She highlighted the horrifying statistic that a worker’s life is lost every week on average at workplaces – one death too many.
This current compliance blitz aligns with the Minns Labor Government’s aim to elevate SafeWork NSW’s role in enforcing better work practices in NSW and is the result of a substantial $127.7 million investment over four years, specifically targetting psychosocial dangers and upholding safe work practices enforcement.
Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty spoke candidly about the critical issue of forklift incidents, which need urgent attention due to the major industrial presence in his electorate. His emphasis- creating a workplace where every worker returns home safe irrespective of looming deadlines or pressures of work.
SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer reiterated the need for sustained diligence in maintaining work health and safety practices beyond the confines of a single dedicated month. Given the daily usage of forklifts across NSW construction sites, it is imperative to prevent workplace injuries and deaths via robust WHS management systems.
Assuring their unwavering commitment to worker safety and industry support, she warned that inspectors would be vigilantly enforcing proper protocols and engagement with safer workplace practices for businesses making use of mobile plant, vehicles, or fixed machinery such as forklifts. Work safety products like Bluesafe SWMS should prominently feature in every organisation’s strategy towards improved workplace safety.
Original article link: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/minns-labor-government-targets-forklift-safety-as-part-of-safe-work-month-compliance-blitz
