Worker struck by telehandler (19 April 2022)

A 51-year-old worker suffered fatal crush injuries whilst walking through a waste collection and recycling facility. The worker was struck by a telehandler fitted with a bucket which was reversing after loading recycled material onto a truck in the warehouse.

The telehandler involved in the incidentThe telehandler involved in the incident

The telehandler involved in the incident.

Safety information

Managing traffic is an important part of ensuring the workplace is without risk to health and safety.

Vehicles, including powered mobile plant, moving in and around a workplace, reversing, loading and unloading are frequently linked to fatalities and injuries to workers and members of the public. Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks of mobile plant in the workplace. Effective systems must be implemented to prevent mobile plant striking workers.

Businesses should:

  • keep people and vehicles apart - have clearly defined pedestrian-only spaces and vehicle-only spaces
  • implement fixed and secured barriers that prevent people from accessing vehicle-only areas
  • implement alternative controls to minimise risks if it is not reasonably practical to separate people and vehicles using fixed and secured barriers, such as:
    • bollards that prevent vehicles from accessing pedestrian-only areas
    • temporary barriers
    • markings or other visual indicators that clearly define pedestrian-only areas
    • using warning devices like reversing sensors, reversing cameras, mirrors, rotating lights, or audible reversing alarms
    • fitting proximity sensors that detect pedestrians and other mobile plant, triggering alarms and/or automatically applying the brakes to prevent collisions
  • develop a traffic management plan for the site which covers controls and procedures
  • inform, train and instruct your workers on the traffic management plan and ensure it is being followed
  • ensure workers are wearing high visibility clothing and using other appropriate personal protective equipment.

As an operator you should:

  • carry out a daily check of the plant before use, and report any faults and damage
  • always follow the site safety rules, traffic management plans and safety instructions
  • wear high visibility clothing and other appropriate protective equipment
  • before moving the plant, look in all directions for people and be aware of the exclusion zones and pedestrian walkways.

Related information

Download this Incident Information Release as a PDF (PDF, 539.75 KB)

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