Fatality inside shipping container (28 March 2023)
A 62-year-old worker was fatally injured after being crushed by windows while unloading them from a shipping container at Glenwood.
Safety information
Unpacking shipping containers can be hazardous, particularly when unpacking heavy, awkward and unsecured items or handling sheet materials such as glass, stone, panels, or timber. Workers are at risk of being crushed by materials and falling objects as well as being hit by the plant and machinery used in unpacking.
Consider reasonably practicable control measures to manage the risks associated with unpacking shipping containers.
Ensure:
- items are packed into the container in order of removal to eliminate sorting the items inside the container
- extra care is taken when unpacking items such as windows, glass sheets, panels, stone sheets, and composite slabs. You can do this by:
- strapping items to an ‘A’ frame or to the side of the container. Securing each sheet using a separate strap means workers can only release the item that is being removed – one at a time
- using mechanical aids to eliminate the need to manually handle goods
- ensuring individual items are secured as you unpack
- unpacking only in a designated area
- ensuring the load is secured in its final destination
- the area around the container is clear of obstructions
- there is an appropriate traffic management plan in place
- if manual unpacking is necessary workers are trained in the safest system of work to unload the container
- personal protective equipment is used such as gloves, hard hats, safety glasses, and hi-visibility clothing.
Related guidance material
- Guide for unpacking shipping containers – SafeWork NSW
- Unpacking shipping containers checklist – SafeWork NSW (PDF, 560.38 KB)
- Unpacking shipping containers – Video Safety Alert