Contact with moving objects is a leading cause of workplace injuries across Australian industries. According to Safe Work Australia, “being hit by moving objects” consistently ranks in the top five causes of serious workers’ compensation claims. In 2022 alone, over 13,000 serious injury claims were made due to contact with moving objects. This statistic demonstrates a critical need for organisations to avoid contact with moving objects through effective planning, training, and control measures. Employers have a legal and moral obligation to ensure workers are not unnecessarily exposed to these hazards.
Understanding the Risks
To avoid contact with moving objects, workplaces must understand what this hazard entails. “Moving objects” can include anything from powered mobile plant and vehicles, to falling tools or swinging equipment during crane lifts. These objects may strike, trap, or crush workers, leading to injuries such as fractures, head trauma, and even fatalities.
Industries such as construction, warehousing, transport, and manufacturing are especially high-risk. For instance, a 2023 report from Safe Work Australia found that 19% of serious workplace injuries in manufacturing were due to being struck by moving equipment or materials. These injuries are not just statistics; they represent real people with lives changed due to preventable incidents.
Read our articles, Hazards When Working With Moving Plant and Working Around Mobile Plant.
Legal Obligations Under Australian WHS Laws
Under the Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act, all Australian employers have a primary duty of care to provide a work environment without health and safety risks. This includes taking reasonable steps to avoid contact with moving objects.
Specifically, Section 19 of the WHS Act requires employers to:
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Provide and maintain a safe workplace and systems of work
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Ensure the safe use, handling and storage of plant, structures and substances
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Provide training and instruction to workers to minimise risk
Failing to control risks such as moving machinery or unsecured loads can result in enforcement action by regulators including WorkSafe Victoria, SafeWork NSW, and others.
Key Control Measures to Avoid Contact With Moving Objects
1. Eliminate the Hazard Where Possible
The most effective way to avoid contact with moving objects is to eliminate the hazard altogether. This may involve redesigning the work process to remove the need for moving plant, or using automation in hazardous zones to reduce worker exposure.
2. Substitute With Safer Alternatives
Where elimination is not feasible, consider substituting machinery with safer alternatives. For example, using conveyor belts instead of forklifts to transport materials inside a warehouse reduces the need for heavy moving vehicles near pedestrian workers.
3. Implement Engineering Controls
Engineering controls are physical changes to the workplace that can help avoid contact with moving objects. Examples include:
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Physical barriers or exclusion zones around operating plant
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Proximity sensors on vehicles to detect workers nearby
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Machine guarding on equipment with moving parts
Properly designed exclusion zones, for instance, can prevent pedestrians from walking into the operating radius of forklifts or cranes.
4. Use Administrative Controls
Administrative controls include policies, procedures, and training that help workers avoid contact with moving objects. These can include:
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Traffic management plans for shared zones between vehicles and pedestrians
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Safe work method statements (SWMS) for high-risk tasks
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Training in situational awareness and hazard identification
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Scheduling tasks to separate vehicle and pedestrian activity
Clearly marked walkways and signage are also essential, especially in fast-paced environments such as logistics centres.
5. Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
While PPE is the least effective control on the hierarchy, it still plays a role in helping workers avoid injury when contact with moving objects occurs. High-visibility clothing, steel-capped boots, and hard hats are commonly used in construction and warehousing sectors. However, PPE should never be the only control measure.
Training and Culture Are Key
To successfully avoid contact with moving objects, businesses must foster a culture of safety. This involves:
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Regular safety briefings on the risks of moving plant and materials
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Toolbox talks that review incidents and near misses
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Empowering workers to speak up when they identify risks
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Making safety part of leadership KPIs
Training should include real-world case studies and lessons learned from previous incidents. Workers are more likely to remember and apply safety concepts when they understand the consequences and context.
On the TIS Training Platform, there is a microlearning courses to help you meet your training obligations. For example, see our courses on Traffic Management, People and Plant on a Construction Site, Blind Spots and Vision Shadows, Access Egress Barrier Selection, Forklift Operation, Mobile Cranes, Excavations, Road and Bridge Construction and Road Construction.
Case Study: Forklift Safety in Warehousing
A Sydney-based logistics company faced multiple near misses involving forklifts and pedestrian workers. After a safety audit, the company implemented several changes to help avoid contact with moving objects:
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Redesigned floor layouts to separate forklift routes and pedestrian walkways
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Installed motion-sensing warning lights and alarms
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Trained staff on vehicle awareness and rules of separation
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Scheduled deliveries during quiet periods
Within six months, the business reported zero near misses and improved staff confidence in their safety systems.
Data Snapshot: Industry Injury Statistics
Here’s a snapshot of data from Safe Work Australia (2023):
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13,120 serious claims due to contact with moving objects
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60 fatalities involving mobile plant and equipment
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Construction and transport sectors account for over 40% of these incidents
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Average time lost per serious injury: 6.8 weeks
These figures highlight the critical need to avoid contact with moving objects as a top priority in workplace health and safety planning.
Safe Work Australia Guidelines
Safe Work Australia provides comprehensive guidance to help businesses avoid contact with moving objects. Key resources include:
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Industry-specific codes of practice
These resources provide checklists, case studies, and step-by-step instructions for implementing effective controls.
Final Thoughts
To avoid contact with moving objects, Australian workplaces must take a proactive approach grounded in risk assessment, engineering controls, training, and a strong safety culture. Too many workers suffer preventable injuries every year due to poor planning, inattention, or inadequate controls.
Every organisation has a duty to assess their unique risks and implement appropriate measures under the Model WHS Act. By doing so, they not only comply with legislation but also protect the health, wellbeing, and productivity of their workforce.
A safer workplace is everyone’s responsibility—but it starts with leadership making the commitment to avoid contact with moving objects through effective systems, training, and design.