SafeWork SA warns about tailgate lifters after serious incident

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SafeWork SA warns about tailgate lifters after serious incident — this safety alert follows an injury to a worker in the second significant incident of the year involving this type of equipment.

According to SafeWork SA, contractors were transporting goods in Adelaide on June 13 when the incident took place. Pallet trucks and tailgate lifters have once again come under scrutiny, highlighting ongoing hazards associated with this equipment when used without proper control measures.

What Happened in the Adelaide Incident

The worker was pushed off the truck as the pallet jack was placed onto a pallet on the tailgate of the delivery truck, causing the jack to move backwards.

The man tumbled onto the kerb, striking his head. Simultaneously, the pallet jack toppled over, coming to rest on his legs — a stark reminder of the risk posed by unsecured equipment on elevated platforms.

Why This SafeWork SA Warning Matters

SafeWork SA reminds companies and contractors using tailgate lifters to transport materials that they must ensure risks of working at elevated heights are properly managed. This serious incident prompts another tailgate lifter warning for businesses relying on this equipment during daily transport operations.

Tailgate lifters present hazardous conditions when equipment isn't secured correctly, particularly during loading and unloading tasks where sudden shifts in weight can cause plant to move unpredictably. Health and safety outcomes depend heavily on how well these hazards are identified and controlled before transport begins.

Key Risk Factors for Tailgate Lifter Equipment

• Unsecured pallet jacks or plant shifting during placement onto tailgates
• Insufficient control measures for equipment used at height
• Lack of training in managing hazardous loading procedures
• Failure to inspect plant before each transport task

This is not an isolated case. For related coverage, see how SafeWork warns workplaces following two serious incidents involving similar equipment failures, or review how SafeWork SA investigates after fatal workplace incident at Monash for further context on the regulator's ongoing enforcement activity.

Managing Hazards Associated With Transport Equipment

Businesses operating tailgate lifters and pallet trucks should treat this equipment with the same caution applied to other hazardous plant. Effective control of these risks starts with regular maintenance, trained personnel, and clear procedures for loading and unloading.

Companies transporting goods using tailgate lifters should also consider how equipment interacts with uneven surfaces, kerbs, and inclines, since these factors compound existing hazards during everyday transport tasks.

For more information on managing incident risks across your organisation, explore SafetyDocs' Incident Management checklists, forms and registers, designed to help businesses document and respond to workplace incidents involving plant and equipment.

Related SafeWork SA Safety Alerts

This tailgate lifter incident follows a pattern of recent SafeWork SA warnings across various industries. Readers may also find it useful to review how SafeWork SA warns tradies about asbestos dangers, another example of the regulator addressing serious hazards affecting workers across South Australia.

Organisations seeking to strengthen their incident reporting frameworks can learn more via SafetyDocs' About Us page, which outlines our commitment to supporting safer workplaces through accessible compliance resources.

Read more here.

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