VIC quarry worker killed under truck

VIC Quarry Worker Killed Under Truck

A man has died after being run over by the rear wheels of a prime mover at a Victorian quarry site on Tuesday morning, adding to a growing list of fatal incidents that continue to raise concerns across the industry regarding vehicle safety and site management practices.

According to WorkSafe, the 62-year-old man was positioned beneath the truck, which was connected to a trailer, when it unexpectedly rolled backward, resulting in him being crushed and dragged approximately 40 meters before being discovered around 10:20am. Emergency services attended the scene, though the man could not be saved.

WorkSafe Victoria has confirmed an investigation into the incident is underway, examining how site management protocols and vehicle rollback prevention measures were applied at the time of the tragedy.

Why Truck Rollovers and Rollbacks Remain a Persistent Risk

Prime mover incidents involving rollback or rollover remain among the most common causes of fatal crush injuries in quarrying and heavy vehicle operations. When a worker is positioned beneath or near a vehicle without adequate isolation controls, even a momentary lapse in handbrake or chock management can prove fatal.

Effective site management should account for:

• Mandatory wheel chocking and handbrake checks before any worker approaches beneath a vehicle
• Clear exclusion zones around trucks connected to trailers on sloped or uneven ground
• Regular inspection and maintenance of braking systems as part of routine fleet management
• Documented isolation procedures for maintenance or inspection work performed under vehicles

Quarry operators across Australia are expected to apply robust risk management frameworks that address vehicle-related hazards specifically, rather than relying on generic workplace safety guidance.

The Role of WorkSafe in Investigating Fatal Incidents

WorkSafe plays a critical role in determining whether site management failures contributed to incidents like this one. Investigators typically assess whether adequate controls were in place, whether workers received sufficient instruction on safe operating procedures, and whether management systems were audited regularly for compliance.

This latest fatality follows a troubling pattern reported in industry news coverage, including a separate case where a VIC quarry worker was pierced by a metal rod, and another where a VIC worker was killed by a falling metal bucket. Each case underscores recurring gaps in site management that safety professionals must address proactively.

Lessons From Previous Truck Rollover Incidents

This incident echoes an earlier tragedy where parents of a Victorian worker killed in a truck rollover pleaded with employers to prioritise safety in the workplace. Their appeal highlighted how management failures at the operational level often trace back to inadequate training, unclear responsibility structures, or insufficient enforcement of existing procedures.

For quarry operators and transport companies, these repeated incidents reinforce the need for management systems that go beyond paperwork compliance and translate into observable, on-the-ground safety behaviours.

Strengthening Site Management to Prevent Future Deaths

Robust site management requires more than policy documents sitting in a filing cabinet. Employers must ensure documented procedures are understood, practiced, and reinforced through regular toolbox talks and supervision.

Key management priorities following incidents of this nature include:

• Reviewing and updating worker isolation policies, including resources such as a worker agreement policy
• Maintaining accurate first aid worker registers so emergency response can be coordinated quickly
• Implementing communication logs for isolated workers, similar to an isolated worker communication log, to ensure lone or exposed workers remain accounted for
• Reviewing worker contractor manuals to confirm subcontractors follow the same safety expectations as direct employees

These management tools support a broader culture of accountability, helping ensure that safety expectations translate into consistent daily practice rather than remaining aspirational.

What This Means for the Quarry Sector

This fatality in Victoria serves as a stark reminder that heavy vehicle safety demands constant vigilance. Quarry operators, transport managers, and site supervisors must treat every prime mover interaction as a potential hazard requiring deliberate control measures.

WorkSafe's ongoing investigation will likely examine whether existing management systems were fit for purpose, and whether emergency response protocols were activated appropriately once the man was discovered. Findings from this inquiry may prompt further guidance for the sector, adding to safety news already circulating about quarry-related dangers this year.

Until then, employers across Australia's quarrying and transport industries should treat this incident as a call to reassess their own management practices, ensuring truck rollback risks are controlled through practical, well-communicated procedures rather than assumption.

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