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Introduction
A man has died after being struck by a forklift at a warehouse in Sydney’s east on Monday morning. The incident occurred at a busy worksite in Matraville, sparking a police investigation and regulatory inquiry into workplace safety practices.
Details of the Incident
Emergency services were called to the site on Military Road, Matraville, just after 5:30am. Police confirmed that a 57-year-old man was struck by a forklift and sustained catastrophic injuries.
NSW Ambulance dispatched six emergency crews, including an ambulance helicopter and intensive care paramedics. The man was found with critical chest injuries but despite resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police and Regulatory Response
A crime scene has been established at the warehouse. Detectives and forensic officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
NSW Police confirmed that SafeWork NSW has been notified, and a formal investigation into the worksite’s safety measures is now underway. A report will also be prepared for the coroner.
Workplace Safety Context
Forklift accidents remain a major hazard in warehouses and logistics hubs, with risks often linked to inadequate separation of pedestrian and vehicle areas, insufficient training, and rushed operations in high-volume freight environments.
Regulators typically examine whether:
- Forklift operators were appropriately licensed.
- Pedestrian exclusion zones were in place and enforced.
- Worksite safety audits identified forklift collision risks.
The Matraville fatality adds to a string of forklift-related deaths and injuries across New South Wales, reinforcing calls for stronger oversight.
Conclusion
As investigations continue, the focus will turn to whether systemic safety failings contributed to the death of the 57-year-old worker. For now, the tragedy serves as another reminder of the dangers forklifts pose in industrial settings, and the pressing need for robust risk management on worksites across the state.