SafeWork NSW is reminding workplaces of the importance of maintaining the highest levels of safety when operating mobile plant and moving vehicles after a fatal incident in Sydney.
A man died at a warehouse at Erskine Park in Sydney’s west yesterday while operating forklift machinery.
The man suffered severe head injuries and died at the scene.
SafeWork NSW has responded to this tragic incident, with inspectors arriving at the site of the accident yesterday to begin their enquiries.
As these enquiries are ongoing, no further comment can be made at this time.
In March 2025, SafeWork NSW commenced a state wide targeted compliance operation to reduce injuries caused by mobile plant, fixed machinery and moving vehicles in the workplace.
A focus of the compliance operation was to ensure staff operating moving plant and moving vehicles had proper training and current licensing.
Inspectors also checked whether workplaces maintained sufficient separation between people and mobile plant and moving vehicles and had safety measures in place to prevent rollovers.
In the period between the start of the compliance operation and the end of April 2025, SafeWork NSW inspectors visited 522 sites across NSW and issued 476 notices.
Of the 476 notices, 170 related to forklifts.
More information on how to reduce mobile plant, fixed machinery and vehicle-related hazards in the workplace is available on the SafeWork NSW website at Code of practice – Managing the risks of plant in the workplace.
SafeWork NSW also offers advisory services and a small business rebate to assist with purchasing safety equipment. Businesses with fewer than 50 workers can book a workplace visit with a SafeWork NSW inspector to identify risks and how to manage them.
Concerned workers can report workplace health and safety issues by calling SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or through the Speak Up website.
Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin said:
“In light of yesterday’s tragic fatality at Erskine Park we are reminding everyone to take care when working with and around mobile plant.
Mobile plant such as forklifts have the potential to cause serious injury or kill people.
Awareness and assessment of the risks, along with implementation of safe systems of work, is key to reducing the number of incidents involving moving plant.
SafeWork NSW inspectors will continue to educate workplaces they visit regarding safe practices but will not accept workers lives being placed at risk, and can issue on-the-spot fines for serious safety breaches.
All workers deserve to return home safely at the end of their work day. No job is too important that it cannot be done safely.”
Source: SafeWork NSW
