Gold Coast Man Tragically Struck by Forklift

Gold Coast Man Tragically Struck by Forklift

A Gold Coast man has died after being fatally involved in a forklift workplace incident at a Hope Island workshop. Emergency services were called to the Gold Coast workplace on Wednesday night, just after 7 pm.

An elderly Burleigh Heads man was fatally involved in the incident, with paramedics assessing him at the scene. He had suffered critical injuries after the worker was struck by the forklift, and he died before further emergency services could intervene.

A Workplace Health and Safety Queensland spokeswoman confirmed the circumstances were not work-related, stating, "This incident was not work-related, and so WHSQ will not be investigating." Read the original article on the Brisbane Times website.

Incidents like this highlight why forklift operators, hire companies, and site supervisors across Queensland must remain vigilant regardless of whether a location is classified as a formal worksite. For related coverage, see our report on a Gold Coast man hospitalised after being struck by a falling tree, and our previous coverage of a man fatally struck by forklift at a Sydney warehouse.

$225,000 Fine Issued After a Crane Collapse

A crane collapse in Wolli Creek, Sydney, resulted in a $225,000 fine after significant safety failures were identified. During August 2017, a crane was being erected on a large supporting column called grillage for construction on a new project.

The site was bordered by residential apartment complexes, one of which was Arc Apartments. On 6 August 2017, one worker slewed the crane 180 degrees to position it for the jib attachment, and it suddenly buckled, peeling away from the building.

As it fell towards the street, the crane pivoted and swung around unexpectedly, collapsing onto Arc Apartments. Three workers trapped on the crane sustained several broken bones after jumping onto the apartment roof to escape.

What the Court Found

The court noted several steps could have been taken to eliminate or minimise risk, including using computer calculations rather than hand calculations, and confirming the design of connection elements could withstand the crane's load.

The Court said, "The workers on the crane faced death as the crane fell across the street until its progress was fortuitously arrested by an adjacent apartment block." An appropriate fine was set at $300,000, reduced to $225,000 on account of the defendant's guilty plea.

Read the full article on the Human Resources Director website.

Why Workplace Health and Safety Standards Matter

Both incidents underline how critical robust health and safety practices remain across Australia's construction and industrial sectors. Whether machinery operates on a formal worksite or an informal one, mechanical hazards demand consistent attention from every business that owns, operates, or hires heavy equipment.

Organisations responsible for plant and equipment should ensure operators receive proper induction, that hire arrangements include documented safety checks, and that health monitoring processes support workers exposed to high-risk machinery. Reviewing safety documentation regularly, alongside engaging qualified emergency services promptly when incidents occur, remains essential for reducing preventable fatalities.

Businesses seeking to strengthen their safety systems can also review our resources on the Forklift Maintenance SWMS and the Forklift - LPG SWMS for guidance on maintaining safe operating standards, or explore our Gold Subscription Plan for ongoing access to updated safety documentation.