Man, 62, fatally crushed by pallet jack at Adelaide workplace

Man, 62, Fatally Crushed by Pallet Jack at Adelaide Workplace

A 62-year-old man has died after being crushed by an electronic pallet jack at an Adelaide workplace, in what SafeWork SA is treating as a serious workplace accident.

Emergency services responded to the Croydon Park site on Friday morning, but paramedics could not revive him after the pallet toppled during routine loading duties.

What Happened During the Incident

The man was loading various products onto a truck when the pallet jack toppled onto him. Workers from a nearby business rushed to the scene and freed him, while paramedics were called to the workplace at around 7.45am.

Despite efforts from responders, he could not be revived and was pronounced deceased at the scene. This tragic incident highlights ongoing concerns around manual handling equipment used across warehouses and logistics sites throughout Australia.

SafeWork SA Investigation Underway

SafeWork SA has been informed about the incident and is currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. Findings from this inquiry may shed further light on whether equipment maintenance, training, or operational procedures played a role.

Employers operating pallet jacks, whether manual or electric, should review their pallet jack operation procedures to ensure workers remain protected from crush hazards. Standard operating procedures covering both manual pallet jack use and electric pallet jack operation can help reduce risks during loading tasks.

A Pattern of Workplace Fatalities

This event follows a string of similarly devastating stories reported across national news outlets this year. Just months earlier, a man was fatally crushed by a forklift at a Sydney workplace, while another workplace incident in Adelaide resulted in the death of a man under separate circumstances. Overseas, a man was fatally injured in a Nelson workplace incident, underscoring that pallet-related dangers extend well beyond South Australia. Coverage of these fatalities has appeared consistently across major news platforms, reminding safety professionals how quickly routine tasks can turn deadly without proper controls. Repeated news reports involving pallet jacks, forklifts, and other mobile equipment suggest employers across multiple industries need stronger risk assessments. Construction, manufacturing, and warehousing sectors remain particularly vulnerable, given the frequency of manual handling equipment use in daily operations. Each new news story adds weight to calls for improved training standards nationwide.

Supporting Safer Workplaces

Beyond physical hazards, sustained exposure to traumatic workplace events can affect surviving colleagues and witnesses. Employers should also consider reviewing their workplace mental health and psychosocial policies to support staff following distressing incidents like this one.

Safety professionals seeking further guidance and networking opportunities can also attend the Workplace Health and Safety Show, where industry experts discuss practical strategies for preventing similar tragedies.

Originally published on Seven News.