In March 2025, the South Australian Employment Tribunal imposed a penalty of $180,000 on a leading potato producer, following a serious workplace safety breach at its facility. The incident, which occurred in May 2022, resulted in life-altering injuries for a worker who was pinned between two forklifts. The case underscores the necessity of stringent safety protocols and ongoing risk management practices in workplaces involving heavy machinery.
Incident Summary
On 30 May 2022, an employee parked his forklift adjacent to a pedestrian walkway within the processing facility and dismounted to retrieve gloves. During this time, another forklift operator reversed his vehicle and inadvertently crushed the stationary worker between the two forklifts. The injuries sustained included a crushed pelvis, fractures to the lower spine, and internal trauma. The employee required extensive medical intervention and long-term rehabilitation.
Findings from the Investigation
The investigation conducted by SafeWork SA revealed multiple shortcomings in Potato producer’s workplace safety systems. Key findings included:
No Designated Safe Zones: The area known internally as the “specials line” lacked designated safe zones or clearly demarcated forklift stopping areas, posing significant risks to pedestrian workers.
Poor Management Procedures: There was no effective procedure to manage the safe interaction between forklifts and pedestrians in shared spaces.
Systemic Failure to Isolate Hazards: The company failed to isolate mobile plant operations from pedestrian work zones, a key control measure in industrial safety.
Tribunal Decision
The South Australian Employment Tribunal found that the company had failed in its primary duty of care under Section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA). The Tribunal determined that the risk was foreseeable, the steps required to prevent the incident were reasonable and practicable, and that a company had failed to implement these basic safety controls.
Sentence
On 21 March 2025, the Tribunal imposed a fine of $180,000. While the maximum penalty for a breach under Section 32 is $1.5 million, mitigating factors including the company’s cooperation with the investigation and guilty plea were taken into account during sentencing.
Broader Workplace Safety Implications
This case serves as a powerful reminder to all employers, particularly those in logistics, agriculture, and manufacturing, about the consequences of inadequate safety planning. Key lessons for industry include:
1. Implement Physical Controls
Workplaces must ensure there are clearly marked pedestrian walkways and physical barriers separating foot traffic from mobile machinery operations.
2. Establish Clear Procedures
Companies must develop clear, documented procedures for high-risk areas where machinery operates near pedestrian workers. Procedures should be updated regularly and reviewed in consultation with staff.
3. Regular Training and Induction
Ongoing safety induction and refresher training for all employees, including contractors and visitors are critical in high-risk environments.
4. Supervision and Monitoring
Active supervision and regular safety audits can help identify potential risks before they result in serious harm.
5. Legal and Financial Repercussions
Failure to uphold safety duties can result in severe penalties and reputational damage, in addition to the human and financial costs of workplace injuries.
Last Words
The Potato producer’s incident highlights the vital role that proactive risk management plays in protecting workers and sustaining business operations. It is essential that businesses regularly review their workplace safety protocols, consult with employees and adopt modern technologies and training platforms to maintain compliance and foster a culture of safety. Employers must not wait for an incident to occur before taking action.
A proactive approach can save lives, avoid legal repercussions and ensure a productive work environment for all.
