A worker at a Queensland, Australia quarry has died after a forklift accident.

Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ) say initial information indicates a forklift operator was crushed when his forklift rolled onto its side as it was travelling on a concrete ramp.

Nearby workers raised the alarm when the incident happened in the storage area of the quarry. However, the man’s injuries proved to be fatal.

RSHQ says an investigation into the incident is ongoing and issued a safety alert, outlining recommendations for mining and quarry operators.

“All obligation holders should assess and mitigate hazards and risks associated with forklift operations following this tragic incident,” RSHQ states in the alert. 

It sets out the following considerations:

• Forklifts should be assessed prior to use to ensure they are fit for the intended purpose, terrain and operating environment, including operation on ramps and gradients.
• Forklifts must be subject to routine inspection and maintenance, including verification that all safety systems (such as operator restraints, braking and steering) are functional and maintained to OEM specifications.
• Operators must wear seatbelts or operator restraints, as these are critical in helping to prevent injuries in the event of an accident.
• Ramps and edges should be designed and protected (eg. bunds, rails or wheel guides) to prevent mobile equipment from driving off edges or losing lateral stability.
• Site traffic management plans should identify ramp hazards, control speeds, and restrict forklift movements where ramp gradients or widths pose an elevated risk (eg. forklifts must not turn or travel across ramps or slopes, forklifts should travel straight up or down ramps only).
• Operator training and competency assessments must include understanding forklift stability and rollover risks, and operating limitations on ramps and gradients.