Training and induction

In SafeWork NSW v Saveba Pty Ltd (2025), a furniture and homewares retailer pleaded guilty to breaching its obligations under section 19(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) and was fined $390,000 following an incident revealing a failure to properly induct and train its workers.

The retailer operated a warehouse in which labour hire workers were engaged. One worker was required to operate an electric pallet rider to transport warehouse materials as part of his role. During his onboarding, the worker received ad-hoc instruction on operating the pallet rider, but otherwise was not provided with extensive training for the work he would be undertaking, nor a discussion of the risks and control measures in place.

On the date of the incident, the worker and a colleague were instructed to use electric pallet riders to load a shipping container. The worker and colleague were operating their pallet riders in reverse when they began heading directly towards each other. Upon noticing the risk of a collision, they each attempted to swerve – but swerved in the same direction, causing the platforms of their pallet riders to collide. At the time, the worker had one foot extended in front of his platform. When the other pallet rider made contact, it crushed his right foot, causing a compound fracture. His injury ultimately led to the amputation of his right leg below the knee.

Neither the worker nor his colleague had been provided with the appropriate training to operate the machine. Their informal instruction from other workers was not documented or verified by a supervisor, and their competency was never assessed or documented.

Since the incident, the retailer has developed and implemented several training modules for new workers to complete during onboarding. This includes location-specific courses for warehouse workers.