Forklift safety campaign to target agriculture, retail, manufacturing, storage, transport industries

21 May 2003

From the Minister for WorkCover

WorkCover Minister Rob Hulls today announced that WorkSafe Victoria would enforce a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to backup its new advertising campaign on forklift safety.

Mr Hulls said the campaign, prompted by the high number of workplace injuries and deaths involving forklifts, would target the transport, storage, retail, manufacturing and agriculture industries - reminding employers that pedestrians and forklifts don’t mix.

The campaign will feature radio and press advertising and an information pack.

“Since 1985, there have been 49 forklift-related deaths in Victoria. And well over half of those killed - 28 - were pedestrians. Fourteen pedestrians were hit by travelling or manoeuvring forklifts and 14 were crushed by falling loads,” Mr Hulls said.

“That’s why WorkSafe is sending out a strong message to employers that we will no longer tolerate workers being put at risk.

“We won’t hesitate to use the full range of our enforcement powers, including prosecution, to ensure that our message gets through.”

WorkSafe statistics show that the management of forklifts and pedestrian traffic in Victorian workplaces is a major health and safety issue.

“Since 1985 over $125 million has been paid in workers’ compensation payments for injuries caused by forklifts gives an indication of the extent of the problem,” Mr Hulls said.

“The new campaign will focus on providing employers with some simple techniques for improving forklift safety in their workplace.

“Separating pedestrians and forklifts through the introduction of pedestrian-only zones for example is simple enough to implement, greatly reduces risk and saves lives.

“While pedestrian-only zones are being put in place in an increasing number of workplaces, there are still too many employers who fail to adequately protect pedestrians from forklift traffic.”

Mr Hulls said the information pack encouraged workplaces to put into place practical measures to eliminate or reduce the risk of workplace related forklift injuries and deaths.

The pack includes a CD-ROM with comparative charts for employers to use to help reduce the risks associated with operating forklifts. The guidance material has been developed in consultation with the National Registered Assessors Association, Monash University Accident Research Centre, and the Forklift Safety Network.