Abattoir charged after forklift collision

Midfield Meat International Pty Ltd has been charged with contravening sections 21 and 23 of the OHS Act for failing to eliminate or reduce, as far as reasonably practicable, the risks of forklifts colliding with pedestrians.

It is alleged an employee driving the forklift had his view obscured by the bin he was transporting when the vehicle struck another employee and a company director.

WorkSafe will allege the company did not have adequate measures in place to separate forklifts from pedestrians, such as barricades, bollards or gates, pedestrian exclusion zones or travel paths.

The charges have been filed in Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court.