Almond Producer Charged Over Serious Forklift Safety Breaches

Olam Orchards Pty Ltd has been charged with multiple alleged breaches of Victoria's Occupational Health and Safety laws following a forklift-related injury at one of its operations.

WorkSafe Victoria has filed two charges against the company under section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, alleging it failed to provide, so far as was reasonably practicable, a working environment that was safe and without risks to health.

It is further alleged that Olam Orchards breached section 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act by not providing and maintaining safe systems of work. In agricultural and processing environments, this typically requires comprehensive WHS management systems, clear policies and procedures, and task-specific Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) for high-risk activities such as forklift operation.

The regulator also alleges a breach of regulation 109(1)(d) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, claiming the company failed to adequately control the risk of powered mobile plant, including forklifts, colliding with pedestrians. This obligation generally includes physical separation of traffic and people, effective traffic management plans, and enforced site rules supported by appropriate training and supervision.

The matter is listed for a filing hearing in the Mildura Magistrates' Court on 10 June 2026.

The case serves as a reminder to all employers, particularly in the agriculture and warehousing sectors, to regularly review their WHS management systems, traffic management plans and SWMS to ensure they meet legislative requirements and effectively manage the risks associated with powered mobile plant. Resources to assist in developing compliant WHS documentation, including management systems and SWMS templates, are available from specialist providers such as Bluesafe and Bluesafe SWMS.