Two Victorian companies were forced to pay costs after disregarding WorkSafe Victoria improvement notices for storage and forklift safety issues.

A Huntingdale import and distribution company received a 12-month good behaviour bond and was ordered to pay AUD1,000 to the court fund after it failed to comply with WorkSafe improvement notices.

A AUD1,500 costs order was made against Top Value International Pty Ltd, which pleaded guilty to two charges under section 43(3) of the Occupational Health & Safety Act 1985.

WorkSafe executive director John Merritt said failing to respond to improvement notices was viewed seriously by WorkSafe and the courts.

"Getting improvement work done within the agreed time generally means the end of the matter, but not doing so, or not advising WorkSafe of changed circumstances, greatly increases the risk of prosecution and the many costs that come with that."

He said notices regarding forklifts and pedestrians were particularly important.

"In the past five years, nearly 3,000 forklift-related injuries have been reported in Victoria. Almost half of all people injured by forklifts are pedestrians," he said.

"It is vital that pedestrians and forklifts are separated and that the machines cannot hit storage racks which could fall."

A WorkSafe statement said the improvement notices had asked the companies that faced court to separate pedestrians from mobile equipment, mark walkways, prevent vehicle damage to storage racks and install safety signs.

The statement said WorkSafe had given information to the two companies that would help them comply with the notices.

However, when a WorkSafe inspector revisited the workplaces, the notices had not been complied with, and no appeals against them had been lodged.

WorkSafe told the court a lack of staff and money were said to be reasons for non-compliance.

WorkSafe said it had a range of guidance material on forklift safety including Forklift safety: reducing the risk which was available online at www.worksafe.vic.gov.au or by calling WorkSafe for a printed copy.