An Expensive Lesson in Safety: Why Improvised Work Platforms Are a Serious Business Risk
Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of workplace injuries across Australia, particularly in construction, freight, and logistics industries. A recent Victorian court case has once again highlighted the dangers of using makeshift or improvised work platforms during loading and unloading operations. This incident demonstrates why businesses must provide compliant equipment, ensure effective communication, and maintain strong WHS systems to prevent serious injuries and costly prosecutions.
What Happened
A freight unloading company operating at the Melbourne Market Authority was fined after a truck driver fell 1.5 metres from an unsafe work setup.
Instead of providing a compliant work platform, the business allowed the driver to stand on a makeshift ramp tray attached to forklift tynes. During unloading, poor communication between workers caused the forklift to reverse while the driver was still standing on the tray, leading to the fall and a serious risk of injury.
The court found that the company failed to provide a safe work platform with guardrails and secure attachment, breaching its duty to maintain a safe workplace.
Why This Matters to Every Business
Even though this incident happened in a wholesale market, the risks apply across multiple industries:
Construction and building trades: Workers often climb onto trucks, trailers, or plant machinery without fall protection.
Freight and logistics: Drivers and warehouse teams sometimes use unsafe methods to reach loads when proper platforms aren’t available.
Small operators: Improvised setups — like pallets or trays on forklift tynes — are still common and dangerously non-compliant.
A single misstep can lead to serious injury, costly downtime, and WHS prosecution.
How to Prevent Falls from Height
Stop Using Improvised Platforms
Forklift tynes, pallets, and trays are not designed for people. Use purpose-built work platforms with guardrails and secure locking mechanisms that meet WHS standards.
Strengthen Communication and Coordination
Miscommunication was a direct cause of this incident. Use clear communication protocols, including two-way radios, standardised hand signals, and safe-work procedures to prevent confusion between workers.
Provide Proper WHS Training
On-the-job learning isn’t enough. Under WHS legislation, employers must provide formal training in safe loading and unloading practices, fall prevention, and equipment use.
Conduct Regular Safety and Risk Assessments
Routine WHS audits or external risk assessments can identify unsafe systems of work before they lead to an accident.
Think Beyond Fines
Even a short fall can cause life-changing injuries. A proactive safety approach protects your people — and your reputation.
How Anzen Safety and Training Can Help
At Anzen Safety and Training, we work with businesses across freight, logistics, construction, and warehousing to identify and fix unsafe practices before they cause harm.
Our qualified consultants can:
Conduct comprehensive WHS risk assessments for loading and unloading operations.
Review your equipment and work procedures to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Deliver practical safety training that improves worker awareness and behaviour.
Develop simple, effective communication and traffic management plans tailored to your site.
With the right support, your team can operate efficiently while meeting work health and safety obligations.
Final Thought
This case shows how quickly a routine unloading task can go wrong when safety is left to improvisation. If your workers are using forklifts, ramps, or trailers in unsafe ways, now is the time to act.
Anzen Safety and Training can help you protect your people, your reputation, and your bottom line through practical risk assessments, safety training, and expert WHS support.
Book a Free 30-Minute Safety Consultation
Not sure where to start? Book a free 30-minute consultation with one of our WHS experts. We’ll review your current loading, unloading, and fall-prevention systems — and show you how to make your workplace safer and fully compliant.
Call us today on 1300 269 361 or book your free consultation online to start building a safer, stronger workplace with Anzen Safety and Training.
