Friday 19th February 2021

Safety News Roundup: Friday 19th February 2021

This week's national safety news covers a fatal workplace incident, fire risks at recycling sites and a serious forklift fall. Each case highlights why maintenance schedules, compliance checks and safe work practices remain critical for construction, manufacturing and industrial sites across Australia.

Manufacturer Fined After Death of a Bystander

A roof product manufacturer has been fined $135,000 following an incident that resulted in a fatality.

In February 2018, an employee drove a truck fitted with a loading crane through a housing estate when an outrigger extended, striking a parked van. The accident pushed the van backwards, running over a man standing at its rear. He sustained fatal injuries.

Investigators from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland found the truck driver had failed to engage the primary locking mechanism on the passenger side outrigger before leaving the estate. At the time of the incident, the crane was approximately 18 months overdue for inspection. The company lacked a maintenance plan or schedule to ensure periodic checks were completed when required.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist convicted the company of an offence for failing to comply with health and safety duty, ensuring plant remains without risks to the health and safety of any person.

Read the full media release on the WorkSafe QLD website. For guidance on managing plant maintenance obligations, see our previous safety news update.

Potential Fire Risks at Multiple Victorian Recycling Sites

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria has issued notices to three metal, building and construction recycling sites for failing to meet regulatory requirements. Companies affected have been ordered to cease accepting new recyclable waste materials.

Stockpiles of recyclable waste materials at these sites were deemed a potential fire risk to human health and surrounding environments.

Manhari Metals received two notices for its Tottenham and Horsham sites; National Metal Recycling in Preston and Action Recovery and Recycling in Brooklyn were each issued one notice.

During EPA Victoria inspections, officers identified non-compliance with required size limits and minimum separation distances around stockpiles of scrap metal and combustible recyclable materials, resulting in pollution and fire risks.

Processing of existing waste can continue while notices remain active. Sites will be unable to receive further materials until EPA Victoria confirms regulatory compliance has been achieved.

EPA Victoria is actively investigating non-compliances at these locations, with possible penalties under the Environment Protection Act 1970.

Original article available on the EPA Victoria website.

WorkSafe QLD Issues Safety Alert After Worker Falls From Forklift

A worker suffered serious injuries falling from a forklift in December 2020.

Early findings indicate he'd been attempting to repair a jammed roller door.

Reports allege the man was working from a stillage container used as a makeshift workbox, having been lifted on forklift tines. When he moved to one side, the container overbalanced; both worker and container fell almost 5 metres.

Investigators haven't yet confirmed the exact cause, with enquiries continuing.

View the full safety alert on the WorkSafe QLD website.

Why These Safety News Stories Matter

These incidents demonstrate recurring themes across Australian workplaces: overdue equipment inspections, poor maintenance scheduling and inadequate risk controls for working at heights. Discerning safety professionals in construction and manufacturing should treat each case as a reminder to review inspection dates, maintenance logs and fall prevention procedures regularly.

Stay informed with our weekly safety news coverage, including Friday 26th February 2021 and Friday 19th March 2021, for further updates on incidents, prosecutions and regulatory action shaping workplace safety today.