Worker fatally injured by falling objects (2 October 2024)

A 56-year-old worker sustained fatal injuries when he was struck by falling objects after a semi-trailer reversing into the warehouse collided with a laden steel storage rack causing it to fall.

A factory scene with a fallen blue storage rack lying on the floor. Wooden pallets that were likely stored on the rack are scattered around. The area is taped off for investigation. In the background, a forklift is visible.
This is a different angle of the factory scene with a fallen blue storage rack lying on the floor. Wooden pallets that were likely stored on the rack are scattered around. The area is taped off for investigation. In the background,looks to be an office visible.

Pictures of fallen storage rack and materials within a warehouse taken from different angles.

Safety information

Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with moving vehicles and steel storage racking systems.

Ensure:

  • the layout of the workplace and the system of work allows for adequate separation between the vehicle path, people and fixed objects
  • you use bollards, barriers, safety rails or exclusion zones to separate people, workers & equipment from moving plant and vehicles
  • you use warning devices to warn people of moving plant, for example reversing alarm, flashing lights, proximity sensors
  • there is a plan at the site to minimise plant and vehicle hazards, for example have drive-through access to minimise reversing, or establish clearly defined loading areas close to storage areas
  • there are established traffic flow patterns developed for the right of way procedures, use signs and speed limits
  • there are dedicated trained traffic controllers to assist with reversing plant and vehicles
  • exclusion zones are in place to workers and others in areas where there are reversing plant and vehicles
  • visible safe working load signs are fitted which display the maximum unit load for each pallet beam level and bay
  • the total weight of unit loads stored on each bay does not exceed the maximum unit load
  • you never make any modifications to racking systems unless first approved by the manufacturer, supplier or qualified engineer who has knowledge and experience in similar work
  • racking systems are always installed in accordance with the manufacturers guidelines and all bolts are used to fasten the racking system to a secure base
  • collision protection is installed such as upright protectors and end-of-rack protectors
  • a traffic and pedestrian plan is developed and maintained
  • information, training and instruction is provided to all workers, including contractors or visiting drivers so that they know the traffic rules for the workplace.

Statistics

The transport, postal and warehousing industry has a high rate of injuries and fatalities and compared to all NSW industries, it has a higher percentage of major workers compensation claims.

Hazardous manual tasks are the most frequent cause of claims, accounting for approximately 43 per cent of all claims followed by falls, being hit by or hitting objects and vehicle accidents.

For every 1,000 workers in the sector, on average, 41 workers sustain a workplace injury or disease leading to a claim compared to 28 workers in all industries in NSW.

Transport, postal and warehousing accounted for the largest number of fatalities in NSW between 2003 and 2015.

Ref. Transport, postal and warehousing (Top injuries)

Related guidance material

Further information

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