Workplaces are not Playgrounds

With many children attending worksites during school holidays, the NSW Government is warning workplaces and kids to remain vigilant after a business was convicted and fined for using a forklift to lift children up to a makeshift elevated work platform.

Footage of the incident shows 2 children entering, being lifted, and exiting the bucket multiple times. SafeWork confirms the man did not possess a high risk licence to operate the forklift at the time of the incident.

Sky Cool Pty Ltd was fined $6,000 in toral for two offences and the forklift driver fined $1000 at a commercial site in Hornsby.

The forklift was operated with a makeshift bucket made from a plastic bulk container that was uneven and lower than 900mm as recommended as a minimum by Australian Standards.

Over the past 3 years. SafeWork has been notified of more than 1300 incidents involving children under the age of 18.

Thankfully no one was injured in this offence.

Sophie Cotsis, the Minister for Work Health and Safety, said “We are reminding businesses and parents they have obligations to supervise children especially around machinery, hazardous chemicals and other risks. There is Zero tolerance to anyone who puts someone’s safety at risk at work.

*First published by SafeWork on 12 July 2023. Find the full article here.