Words: Helena Morgan

SafeWork NSW inspectors have issued 140 notices in a statewide targeted compliance operation to prevent workplace injuries caused by mobile plant, equipment, fixed machinery and vehicles. 

SafeWork NSW has responded to the alarming increase in deaths and injuries caused by primarily forklift misdemeanour and malpractice by issuing inspections into agricultural, retail, construction, manufacturing and transport industries. 

While the safety and durability of all earthmoving equipment will be assessed, SafeWork NSW inspectors cite a surge in forklift rollover and collision, alongside a failure to maintain a safe distance from pedestrians, uphold plant maintenance and conduct regular training. 

Inspectors are prioritising an investigation into high-risk areas as such settings have the highest number of workplace fatalities in NSW, as confirmed by SafeWork NSW’s 2024-2025 Annual Regulatory statement.  

Increasing number of preventable vehicle failure tragedies

A man in his seventies died last year after being struck by a forklift during a workplace incident at a factory in Griffith. Another man died in a separate incident at a waste management facility in Lucas Heights after being hit by a compactor.

SafeWork NSW head Trent Curtin says people being hit by moving plant equipment or vehicles when working with fixed machinery is “preventable,” and ascribes awareness and risk assessment as the key to decreasing the likelihood of injuries and deaths.

“Education and safe implementation involves particular consideration of the operating environment, separation of workers and vehicles and consultation with workers to keep them safe,” he says.

Failure to adhere to standards leads to fines 

Curtin says SafeWork NSW inspectors will educate the workplaces they visit on safe practices, but they will not accept workers’ lives being placed at risk, and can issue on-the-spot fines for serious safety breaches. Inspectors are also authorised to issue on-the-spot fines of up to $4500 to employees and $900 for individuals found to be ignoring safety standards. SafeWork NSW provides advisory services and a $1000 small business rebate to help sites buy safety equipment. 

Businesses with less than 50 workers are invited to book a workplace visit with a SafeWork inspector and commence the initial risk assessment process. 

“All workers deserve to return home safely at the end of their work day,” Curtin says. “No job is so important that it can’t be done safely.”

This article first appeared in FM Media