Avoid a mistake, engage the brake.

Video link: https://youtu.be/0xQrGAm8jBI?list=PLo4mf6efyi_EI8VPIys66vpF75eYxSrp-

Roll-away vehicles are among three common workplace hazards identified by SafeWork SA as part of its major awareness campaign – Safety at work is a serious job.

While the overall number of incidents is relatively low, roll-away vehicle incidents can be catastrophic in terms of death, severity of injuries and resultant property damage.

The message attached to the Roll-away vehicles sub-theme in the campaign is – Avoid a mistake, engage the brake.

How does SafeWork SA define a roll-away vehicle?

A roll-away incident involves the unintentional movement of a vehicle because it has not been safely immobilised.

Roll-aways can occur with any type of mobile plant including cars, forklifts, trucks, tractors, trailers, passenger vehicles and heavy machinery. Roll-aways can occur on worksites, car parks, maintenance yards or when a vehicle is parked on the side of the road.

This can include when the vehicle brakes are not adequately applied or engaged, when doing repairs on the vehicle, during loading and unloading, or when coupling or uncoupling a truck and trailer.

Vehicles, that have poorly maintained braking systems or have not been safely immobilised roll-away, create a risk to people who could be hit, crushed, trapped or run over, leading to serious injuries or fatalities.

Injuries can also occur when a person tries to enter or exit a vehicle that has begun to roll-away.

How many notifications has SafeWork SA received on roll-aways?

Between 2020 and 2025 SafeWork SA has received 42 notifications involving roll-away vehicles including:

  • four fatalities
  • 17 serious injuries
  • 13 incidents involving significant property damage

While the number may be lower than other hazards, the result can be catastrophic in terms of death, severity of injuries and resultant property damage.

What are the most common industries to report a roll-away vehicle to SafeWork SA?

  • Automotive
  • Construction
  • Transport
  • Agriculture
  • Manufacturing
  • Mining

What are the common causes of a roll-away vehicle?

  • The handbrake has not been engaged or is ineffective
  • Vehicles parked on an incline or unstable ground with brakes not engaged properly
  • Equipment failure or inadequate maintenance of the braking system
  • Starting a vehicle while it is in gear
  • Accidental use of the vehicle controls
  • Wheels not correctly immobilised
  • A lack of information, training

What action has SafeWork SA taken to manage roll-away vehicles?

  • In conjunction with Safe Work Australia, SafeWork SA developed a fact sheet in 2023 to provide guidance for businesses, employers and workers about managing the risks of vehicle roll-aways at the workplace.
  • The new fact sheet provides practical tips to reduce the risk of vehicle roll-away such as seeking out flat ground when parking, fail-safe automatic braking systems or the use of chocks.
  • SafeWork SA contributed to the development of the Workplace Road Safety Guide – A guide for employers and workers (external site), which was published by the State Government in November 2024. The guide includes a section on roll-away vehicles.

What must a worker and an employer to do minimise the risk of harm from a roll-away vehicle?

Worker

  • Ensure the vehicle’s park brake is on
  • Turn wheels
  • Leave vehicle in gear
  • Use wheel chocks, where appropriate
  • Do not attempt to get into the vehicle if it starts to roll away
  • Follow any guidance, training and instructions for the safe operation of your vehicle

Employer

  • Ensure your vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained
  • Consider installing park brake alarm systems on vehicles
  • Adopt safety management systems that cover the safe immobilisation of vehicles, working under and around vehicles, maintenance
  • Ensure workers are appropriately licensed and are provided with the information and training regarding the vehicle they will be driving

Examples of roll-away vehicle incidents

  • A bus rolled down a slight incline before running over and seriously injuring its driver in the Barossa Valley in 2025.  The driver stopped and left the bus. She was inspecting it when it rolled about 10 metres down an incline, knocking her down and rolling over her.
  • A South Australian farmer sustained critical injuries and later died after being crushed by a tractor in 2024. The farmer was repairing the tractor when it began rolling forward. He attempted to jump onto the tractor to stop it rolling and was run over by the rear wheel.
  • An unoccupied truck rolled about 200 metres before crashing into a building in the Adelaide Hills. The 2023 incident resulted in damage to two businesses.

Resources

Codes of Practice

Factsheets

Further links