Forklift Incidents Are Rising in Australia — Here’s How Workplaces Can Respond

Date Posted:14 October 2025 

Forklift incidents continue to rise across Australia, highlighting the ongoing need for stronger safety practices. Explore what the latest data reveals and how workplaces can take practical steps to prevent accidents through better training and equipment.

Forklift Incidents Are Rising in Australia — Here’s How Workplaces Can Respond

Forklifts are vital to Australia’s warehousing, logistics, and manufacturing industries — yet they remain one of the leading causes of serious workplace injuries.

Despite improvements in technology and awareness, recent statistics show forklift safety continues to demand attention.

In a recent LinkedIn post, NSW Minister for Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis MP, highlighted that since January 2024, more than 600 forklift incidents have been reported to SafeWork NSW, including four fatalities.

She announced a month-long compliance blitz in October, with more than 250 inspectors conducting unannounced forklift safety checks across NSW.

As Sophie Cotsis MP noted, “Every worker has the right to go to work and return home safely to their loved ones.”

forklift operations warehouse logistics safety training

 

The Ongoing Forklift Safety Challenge

According to Safe Work Australia’s 2023 data, there were 200 workplace fatalities nationwide and over 139,000 serious injury claims.

The transport, postal, and warehousing sector continues to record some of the highest fatality rates of any industry — with forklifts among the most common equipment involved.

To better understand where and how these injuries occur, Safe Work Australia’s Workers’ Compensation and Fatalities Dashboards provide valuable insight into the scale and impact of workplace harm across each state and territory.

The data by state below shows just how widespread serious injuries and fatalities remain:

StateState AuthorityAuthority Workers' Compensation Claims – 2023Claims ’23 Median Time Lost (working weeks) – 2022Time Lost ’22 Median Compensation Paid – 2022Comp Paid ’22 Workers Fatally Injured – 2023Fatalities ’23
- Safe Work Australia 139,002 7.2 $14,416 200
NSW SafeWork NSW 56,404 4.2 $10,574 60
QLD WorkSafe Queensland 33,832 6.4 $11,332 51
VIC WorkSafe Victoria 22,130 21.2 $26,351 37
WA WorkSafe Western Australia 12,550 10.8 $27,858 27
SA SafeWork SA 6,042 8.2 $18,494 17
TAS WorkSafe Tasmania 3,669 4.9 $10,361 2
ACT WorkSafe ACT 1,613 7.2 $19,676 1
NT NT WorkSafe 739 6.0 $14,021 5

Swipe sideways to view all columns

 

workers compensation claims and fatalities statistics 2023

Source: Safe Work Australia – Work-related Fatalities Interactive Dashboard and Workers’ Compensation Interactive Dashboard (accessed October 2025).


This data highlights the human and financial impact of preventable incidents, with several key findings standing out:

  • In 2023, Australia recorded 139,002 serious workers’ compensation claims, with a median of 7.2 working weeks lost and an average payout of $14,416 per claim.

  • New South Wales reported the highest number of claims (56,404), while Victoria and Western Australia recorded the longest recovery times and highest average compensation costs, suggesting more severe injuries.

  • Forklift-related and manual handling incidents remain a key driver of serious claims in warehousing and manufacturing.

While machinery design has improved, the underlying causes often remain the same — poor traffic separation, insufficient operator training, and complacency in hazard control.

 

Why Forklift Incidents Keep Happening and How To Prevent Them

Even with better awareness and equipment standards, many forklift-related incidents continue to stem from simple, preventable issues.

Most occur due to poor traffic management, inadequate training, and unsafe site layouts — all of which can be addressed with proactive safety measures and the right equipment.

The table below outlines some of the most common causes of forklift incidents in Australian workplaces, along with practical ways to reduce these risks.

Common Problem Problem Why This Is An Issue Why How To Prevent Them Solution
Unclear traffic management Forklifts and pedestrians share the same space Install safety barriers, bollards, and clearly marked walkways to separate traffic zones and prevent collisions
Expired or inadequate operator training Unsafe manoeuvres or poor awareness of load limits Conduct regular training and licence renewals to ensure all forklift operators meet WHS competency standards
Overloading or unstable pallets Loads that shift or tip during movement Use quality pallets, secure loads properly, and avoid exceeding the forklift’s rated capacity
Blocked sightlines or poor lighting Reduced visibility increases crash risk Maintain clear visibility through good lighting, mirrors, and unobstructed pathways
Cluttered aisles and narrow turning areas Limited space for safe operation Keep aisles clean, wide, and organised, with storage solutions that optimise space and reduce congestion

 

At Verdex, we’ve seen the difference these measures make. Our range of safety equipment include:

reach fork truck operator warehouse aisle

 

From Awareness to Action

National Safe Work Month’s 2025 theme — “Safety: Every Job, Every Day” — reminds us that safety isn’t a once-a-year discussion. The latest forklift data proves why ongoing vigilance is essential.

Every forklift movement carries risk, but with the right equipment, planning, and culture, those risks can be controlled.

Verdex supports Australian workplaces with compliant, durable solutions that keep people safe — every job, every day.

Explore our full range of safety and materials-handling products today or read more about National Safe Work Month 2025.

industrial warehouse logistics staff with walkie stacker

 

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