Warehouse worker's foot crushed by skirt of pedestrian-operated lift truck (19 April 2026)

A warehouse worker was moving palletised stock using a lift truck.

A pallet had been set down, and the walkie reach stacker (WRS) was turning whilst travelling in the reverse direction to the forks.

The workers right safety boot became lodged underneath the skirt of the WRS resulting in a crush injury.

                                          
A walkie reach stacker in a warehouse environment
Image 1: Walkie reach stacker
The control panel of walkie reach staker showing different coloured buttons and a handle.
Image 2: Walkie reach stacker controls
                                          

Safety information

Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with operating or working in the vicinity of moving plant.

Ensure:

  • The manufacturer's instructions are complied with, and are available to workers and HSRs. The manufacturer's instructions form the basis for:
    • training provided to operators, and
    • safe systems of use for the WRS.
  • Workers using WRSs are trained to operate the specific type(s) of WRS at the business. This includes differences in operational controls, speeds, roll down distances, and separation distances when operating the plant.
  • Where the manufacturer’s instructions include specific body placement to avoid contact with hazardous elements of the WRS, that training is in place to highlight and verify that workers are using the plant inside these requirements.
  • Workers are provided with the relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) for the tasks being performed and systems are implemented to verify that workers are using PPE when operating walkie reach stackers.
  • That a traffic management plan (TMP) is established to manage risk of collision between mobile plant and pedestrians (or other mobile plant).
  • That adequate housekeeping is maintained within the workplace.
  • That systems of work are designed to allow suitable time to complete work safely.
  • Inspection and maintenance programs are conducted by a competent person in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction and recorded (including pre-operation inspections).
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