Supermarket chain charged after serious forklift incident

NT WorkSafe has charged a national supermarket chain after a company forklift was involved in a collision with a motorcycle where the rider sustained serious injuries.

In July 2025, a worker was operating a forklift in the loading dock of the supermarket chain’s Katherine store. The worker attempted to drive the forklift across a public road as a delivery truck was entering the loading dock and the forklift impacted an oncoming motorcyclist.

The motorcyclist was hospitalised following the collision.

The supermarket chain has been charged under the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 (the Act):

• One category 2 charge for failing the primary duty of care under section 19(2) of the Act
• One category 2 charge for failing the primary duty of care under section 19(3)(a)(c)(d) and (f) of the Act
  • One alternative category 3 charge failing the primary duty of care under section 19(3)(a)(c)(d) and (f) of the Act, and
• One category 2 charge for failing the duty involving management or control of workplace section 20(2) of the Act.

If found guilty of all charges, the supermarket chain faces a combined maximum penalty of $4.5 million dollars.

The matter is listed for mention at the Katherine Local Court on 22 July 2026.