WorkSafe Tasmania

WorkSafe Tasmania

Safe and well every day

Transport, Postal and Warehousing

This industry includes:

  • road, rail and water transport, of both freight and passengers
  • transport support services
  • warehouse and storage services
  • postal and courier services.

Road transport is one of the industries identified as a national priority for prevention activities in the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy.

Occupations in this industry include:

  • truck, bus, rail and delivery drivers
  • postal workers
  • couriers
  • storepersons.

Common hazards and injuries

This industry accounts for the second highest number of deaths amongst all industries.

Most of the work-related deaths and injuries in this industry are a result of vehicle accidents.

Workers in this industry are likely to be injured at work due to:

  • body stressing
  • sips, trips and falls
  • being hit by moving objects.

Other common hazards that workers in this industry are exposed to include:

  • hazardous manual tasks such as moving heavy or awkward loads, securing loads
  • falls from height when loading or unloading
  • being hit by a forklift or another vehicle while on foot
  • fatigue
  • sedentary work.

Some solutions

  • Provide training and instruction in safe manual handling procedures.
  • Fit vehicles with handrails and/or non-slip access ladders or steps.
  • Maintain good housekeeping to ensure there are no obstructions or trip hazards on floors or in store areas.
  • Set realistic work schedules and deadlines.
  • Encourage workers to use their breaks to stretch and move.

WorkSafe Tasmania resources

Dangerous goods licensing

Fatigue

Forklifts

Hazardous manual tasks

High risk work licensing

Industry snapshots

Psychosocial hazards

Sedentary work

Slips trips and falls

Truck safety: Falls and loads

Other resources

Guide for managing the risk of fatigue at work: Safe Work Australia

ILO Convention 190 On Eliminating Violence and Harassment in the World of Work: A Transport Worker’s Toolkit: International Transport Workers; Federation

Traffic management guide: Warehousing: Safe Work Australia

Last updated: 13 November 2023
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