Forklift Accidents and Asbestos Dangers

Forklift Accidents and Asbestos Dangers: $90,000 Fine After Worker Hit by Forklift

An abattoir has pleaded guilty in the Warrnambool Magistrates' Court for failing to ensure all persons on site were not exposed to health and safety risks. This case highlights how quickly forklift accidents can turn into costly, life-altering incidents when proper forklift handling procedures aren't followed.

A labour hire worker's legs were crushed when a reversing forklift trapped him between the vehicle and a steel barrier as he stacked cardboard sheets against a wall.

What Happened During the Incident

The worker was taken to hospital and suffered nerve damage to his lower legs following the incident on 20 March 2019.

Although the company had a traffic management plan in place, WorkSafe Victoria's investigation found that pedestrian workers regularly operated within the forklift's working area — a clear breakdown in site handling procedures designed to separate people from moving plant.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Julie Nielsen said, "This incident should serve as a wake-up call to this company and to others that it is simply unacceptable for pedestrians and mobile plant to mix."

Original article published on the WorkSafe Vic website.

Reducing Forklift Risks Through Better Procedures

Sites relying on mobile plant need robust separation between foot traffic and vehicle movement. Reviewing forklift maintenance procedures alongside pedestrian exclusion zones can prevent similar tragedies from recurring.

Mesothelioma Treatment More Affordable Than Ever

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in tissue lining the lungs, chest and abdomen. Asbestos exposure remains a known cause of pleural mesothelioma, making proper asbestos handling procedures essential across construction and manufacturing sites.

New PBS Listing Cuts Treatment Costs Dramatically

A course of immunotherapy drugs called Opdivo and Yervoy are now listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for mesothelioma patients.

Mesothelioma patients previously paid up to $130,000 per course of treatment; this figure will now cost as little as $41 — a dramatic shift in accessibility for a rare and aggressive cancer.

Although no cure for mesothelioma currently exists, access to this medication will help extend life expectancy for people living with the disease.

Fastest PBS Listing on Record

According to Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt, this was one of the fastest listings on the PBS ever recorded.

"It's 50 days since the TGA [Therapeutic Goods Administration] approved the medicine, and what that means is bringing this life-changing medicine, life-extending medicines to patients with one of the most aggressive forms of cancer at the earliest possible time," Mr Hunt said.

More about this story can be found on the ABC website.

Why Asbestos Handling Procedures Still Matter

Despite medical advances, prevention remains far more effective than treatment. Businesses handling ageing infrastructure should maintain strict asbestos safety documentation and follow clear removal handling procedures whenever legacy materials are disturbed.

Tradies and site workers face ongoing hazards from undisclosed asbestos-containing materials, particularly during renovation or demolition work. Reviewing our asbestos management plan resources can help organisations control exposure hazards before they escalate into serious health consequences.

For related guidance on managing specific equipment hazards, see our asbestos clutch and gaskets SOP, which outlines safe handling procedures for components historically manufactured using asbestos materials.