Fatal telehandler incident (13 October 2020)

A farm worker died after he was run over by a 3-tonne telehandler as it was reversing. The telehandler operator was transporting straw bales from a stack into a straw chopper located near a poultry shed.  As the operator reversed to pick up another bale from the stack, the worker was run over by the telehandler.

Site specific traffic management control measures must be implemented to manage the risk of mobile plant causing harm to pedestrians.

Keep people and vehicles apart. Have clearly defined pedestrian only spaces and vehicle only spaces, by:

• implementing fixed and secured barriers that prevent people accessing vehicle only areas,
• defining pedestrian areas through permanent or temporary barriers or markings, or
• use high impact traffic control barriers e.g. bollards or temporary structures.

If it is not reasonably practicable to separate people and vehicles, implement additional controls to minimise the risks such as:

• using devices like reversing sensors, reversing cameras, mirrors, rotating lights or audible reversing alarms
• have a spotter direct the reversing vehicle (the spotter must remain in visible contact with the driver at all times)
• provide clearly identified designated reversing areas
• restrict the use of mobile phones by drivers and pedestrians.

Develop a traffic management plan for the site which covers controls and procedures. Further to that, train, instruct and supervise your workers on the traffic management plan.

More information

Code of practice – Managing the risk of plant in the workplace (PDF 2.1MB)

Workplace traffic management guidance material - Safe Work Australia

Plant: Your health and safety guide – WorkSafe Victoria