Bus roll-away incident triggers safety warning from SafeWork SA

SafeWork SA has issued a safety warning following a recent incident where a bus descended a gentle slope and struck its driver, causing serious injuries.

“The Barossa Valley incident occurred on 20 February 2025 after the driver stopped the bus. She left the bus and was inspecting it when it rolled about 10 metres down an incline, knocking her down and rolling over her,” SafeWork SA said.

SafeWork inspectors visited the scene, and further investigations are being conducted.

Data from SafeWork SA reveals that since the year 2020, four workers in South Australia have died after being struck by a roll-away vehicle.

A roll-away incident occurs when a vehicle moves unintentionally as a result of insufficient immobilisation.

Typically, the primary factor contributing to such incidents is the failure to engage the handbrake or its ineffectiveness.

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