SafeWork warns workplaces following two serious incidents

```html

SafeWork NSW is reminding workplaces of the critical importance of maintaining safety protocols around mobile plant and vehicles, after two serious incidents occurred within a span of five hours on Thursday.

A man in his fifties lost his life after being struck by a truck at a recycling facility in Greenacre at 7.30pm. New South Wales Police responded to the scene, and inspectors from SafeWork NSW are now investigating the incident to determine what went wrong and whether existing risk controls were followed.

Just hours earlier, at 3:50pm, a worker in his 40s sustained critical injuries after being caught between two vehicles at a repair workshop in Auburn. He remains in hospital receiving treatment for his injuries.

SafeWork NSW Response and Prohibition Notice

Following the Auburn incident, SafeWork NSW intervened swiftly and issued a Prohibition Notice to the business. This action ensures safe work practices are implemented before any further vehicle repairs take place on-site, reducing risk to other employees.

Trent Curtin, Head of SafeWork NSW, said: “These two serious incidents within such a short space of time are tragic, and our sympathies go out to their families, friends and colleagues.”

Why Mobile Plant and Vehicle Safety Matters

Incidents involving mobile plant remain a significant contributor to workplace fatalities and serious injuries across construction, manufacturing, and logistics sectors. Businesses operating heavy plant or vehicles carry a heightened duty to manage risk proactively rather than reactively.

Employers should review their exclusion zones, traffic management plans, and pedestrian separation measures wherever plant and vehicles interact with workers. Regular risk assessments help identify hazards before they result in harm.

• Establish clear traffic management plans separating pedestrians from moving plant
• Ensure vehicle repair workshops have documented safe work procedures
• Provide ongoing health and safety training for all workers operating or working near plant
• Review incident history and near-misses to identify recurring risk factors

Staying Informed on Workplace Safety News

For safety professionals across construction, manufacturing, and healthcare industries, staying up to date with the latest workplace safety news is essential. Regulators regularly issue updates covering the latest incidents, enforcement actions, and guidance to help businesses manage risk.

SafeWork NSW's official website provides detailed information on notification requirements, incident reporting obligations, and compliance resources for employers managing plant, vehicles, and other high-risk equipment.

Similar warnings have been issued interstate. For example, our coverage of SafeWork SA's warning on vehicle roll-away risks highlights that plant and vehicle hazards remain a national concern, not limited to New South Wales workplaces.

Readers may also find relevance in our report on two men killed in tragic workplace incidents in WA, which further underscores the ongoing risk posed by inadequate plant and vehicle safety measures across Australian industries.

Managing High-Risk Workplace Activities

Businesses seeking to strengthen their safety documentation should consider structured high risk and incident management plans, which support compliance with health and safety obligations while reducing exposure to plant-related incidents.

Workshops and facilities handling vehicle repairs, chemical processes, or confined space work should also review relevant safe work method statements, such as our Cleaning Without Adequate Ventilation SafeWork Method Statement, to ensure appropriate controls are documented and followed.

Read more here.

```