A Victorian manufacturer and reseller of concrete blocks, bricks, pavers and retaining wall products has committed to spend $295,000 on safety improvements after a serious forklift incident left a worker with a partially amputated hand.
The incident occurred when a forklift tipped over during loading, trapping the worker’s hand between the frame and the ground. An investigation found inadequate separation between vehicles and pedestrians, insufficient exclusion zones and a lack of training for both forklift operators and truck drivers.
Under the enforceable undertaking, the company will develop and test new forklift safety systems, including mast-detection and payload-monitoring technology, and create educational materials to raise awareness of mobile-plant risks across industry.
This case highlights the importance of strict traffic management, clear pedestrian zones and comprehensive operator training—critical for all manufacturing and fencing businesses using forklifts or other mobile equipment.
