SafeWork SA advises South Australians to recognise risks associated with roll-away vehicles

SafeWork SA advises South Australians to recognise risks associated with roll-away vehicles

SafeWork SA is advising employers and drivers across South Australia to be conscious of the threats posed by roll-away vehicles as part of its extensive new workplace safety initiative; ‘Safety at work is a serious job.’

Key points at a glance

• 42 notifications reached the regulator between 2020 and 2025.
• Four deaths, 17 serious injuries and 13 cases of costly property damage sit within that record.
• Stanley the cone fronts the campaign with a rhyming prompt about engaging brakes.
• Mobile plant, trucks, utes and trailers used across transport, construction and primary industry feature in most reported events.

Why roll-aways cause such serious harm

Vehicle roll-aways result when a parked truck, trailer, ute or item of mobile plant starts moving with nobody at the wheel. Unengaged brakes, unchocked tyres, wrong gear selection and sloping ground each supply unwanted momentum.

Speed builds within a couple of seconds, so even slight movement can pin, crush or run over somebody before an operator regains control. Crush injuries carry lifelong health consequences for the person struck, plus lasting grief for families and crews.

Stanley the cone puts hazards on the agenda

The program features Stanley, the ‘talking safety cone,’ providing guidance on serious workplace threats, including the risk of roll-away vehicles.

It brings attention to the catastrophic effects of roll-away events and urges both workers and employers to ‘Avoid a mistake, engage the brake.’

What the notification data shows

From 2020 to 2025, SafeWork SA was notified of 42 roll-away vehicle incidents, which included 4 fatalities, 17 severe injuries, and 13 incidents that resulted in considerable property damage.

SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell said this campaign aims to remind South Australians that decisions regarding safety are important.

“These incidents happen quickly and often without warning, but in many cases they are preventable,” Glenn said.

A similar warning appeared when the regulator flagged vehicle roll-away risks across transport depots, farm gates and construction yards.

Practical steps that prevent a runaway

Businesses can cut the likelihood of an unattended vehicle moving by applying repeatable parking discipline. Transport and logistics operators, builders and growers should confirm these habits every shift:

• Engage the park brake before anyone steps out of a cab, even briefly.
• Select an appropriate gear, or shift automatic transmissions into park.
• Turn steered wheels towards a kerb, then chock tyres on gradients.
• Switch off ignition and take keys away before dismounting.
• Keep mobile plant clear of pedestrian walkways and hazardous loading zones.
• Train new starters on each item of plant, truck or attachment they will operate.
• Encourage near-miss reporting so supervisors act early.

Chocks, kerbs and correct gear selection help control unexpected movement, while yards with hazardous slopes need wedges stored at every bay. Daily safety briefings give drivers a moment to confirm parking practice before heavy vehicle transport work begins.

Legal duties for parked vehicles and mobile equipment

Persons conducting a business or undertaking must eliminate or minimise plant-related hazards so far as is reasonably practicable, and work health and safety legislation applies equally to hire fleets and family farms.

Guidance from Safe Work Australia and state regulators sets clear expectations for parking, isolation, inspection and maintenance. Our summary of the code of practice for managing plant unpacks those obligations in detail.

Related safety resources for transport and construction teams

Safety leaders can share the following material during pre-start meetings. Fatigue, distraction and time pressure across the transport sector often sit behind poor parking decisions.

• SafeWork SA safety alert on nail guns
• WorkSafe guidance on asbestos exposure
• Fatigue Management Policy for Heavy Vehicles

Every parking decision shapes the safety of each person walking past a loaded trailer. Read more here.