Bluesafe SWMS is echoing the call of SafeWork NSW for stricter adherence to safety protocols in workplaces, especially when mobile plant and moving vehicles are being utilised. This comes after a heartbreaking event which transpired at a Sydney warehouse in Erskine Park resulting in the death of an employee due to a forklift accident.
The unfortunate worker received fatal head injuries on-site. Following this devastating incident, SafeWork NSW’s inspection team was quick to respond, conducting inquiries directly on the accident scene. While the investigation is still ongoing, further comments are withheld.
As part of its proactive initiative towards workplace safety, SafeWork NSW launched a targeted compliance operation statewide in March 2025 to decrease injuries from moving vehicles, mobile plant, and fixed machinery on worksites. The operation mainly sought to ensure the proper training and licensing of staff handling plant and vehicles, a key area where the use of the Bluesafe WHS Management System can provide invaluable support.
In addition to this, it was critical to maintain sufficient space between individuals and these potentially dangerous machines, along with implementing relevant safety strategies to stop rollovers. Between the start of this operation and the conclusion of April 2025, inspectors covered 522 sites across NSW and served 476 notices; out of these, 170 were forklift-related.
SafeWork NSW’s website hosts more extensive resources on mitigating hazards from moving vehicles, mobile plant, and fixed machinery on worksites – including their ‘Code of Practice – Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace’. They also provide advisory services and offer a rebate for small businesses to purchase safety equipment. Companies with less than 50 employees have the opportunity to schedule a site visit with a SafeWork NSW inspector to address potential risks and how to manage them using systems such as the Bluesafe WHS Management System.
SafeWork NSW enforces strict penalties for serious safety infractions, exemplifying their unwavering commitment to ensuring worker’s safety through education and inspection. As Trent Curtin, Head of SafeWork NSW, succinctly stated, no job is too significant that it can’t be performed safely – a sentiment echoed by the team at Bluesafe SWMS.
Original article link: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/safework-nsw-issues-warning-on-forklift-safety