Forklift Operation (Manufacturing) SWMS
Forklift operations in manufacturing facilities involve moving raw materials from receiving to production, transferring work-in-progress between production stages, and loading finished products for dispatch. Pedestrian interaction in shared production spaces is the primary fatality risk. The WHS Regulation 2025 requires High Risk Work Licences for all forklift operators and specific traffic management plans where forklifts and pedestrians share workspaces. This template maps controls to the binding Managing Risks of Plant Code of Practice effective 1 July 2026 under Section 26A.
SWMS variants reference your state's WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Legal Requirements
WHS Regulation 2025 Part 4.5 — High Risk Work Licences and Part 4.7 — Plant
Work involving powered mobile plant
Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace (binding 1 July 2026 under Section 26A)
Yes — effective 1 July 2026. Non-compliance is admissible as evidence of breach.
LF class licence for forklift operation
Hazards
| Hazard | Consequence | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrian strike in shared production and warehouse areas | Crush injuries, fractures, death | Possible |
| Forklift tip-over during turning or on ramps | Operator crush, death | Unlikely |
| Racking collapse from forklift impact | Multiple injuries, product avalanche, entrapment | Unlikely |
| Load drop from unstable or oversized loads | Struck-by injuries, crush | Possible |
| Collision with structures, plant, and other vehicles | Structural damage, operator and bystander injuries | Possible |
| LPG or diesel exhaust in enclosed warehouse spaces | CO poisoning, respiratory irritation | Possible |
Controls (Hierarchy of Controls)
Recent Prosecutions
Worker death in manufacturing facility incident involving plant and equipment safety failures.
2024 — SafeWork SA Manufacturing Prosecution [2024]
Multiple safety failures in industrial operations including plant management deficiencies.
2024 — SafeWork NSW v Orica Australia Pty Ltd [2024]
What Your SWMS Must Include
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Need a compliant Manufacturing Forklift SWMS?
Our WHS consultants build site-specific SWMS that address pedestrian safety, traffic management, and HRWL compliance for your manufacturing forklift operations.
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