WHS Queensland has issued an alert after two serious crush incidents this year.

In January, a truck driver suffered multiple leg fractures when a stone slab fell from the truck he was unloading. It appears the slabs toppled when the driver removed straps securing the load.

In February, another truck driver suffered serious injuries when a pack of timber boards he was delivering fell onto him. Early investigations indicate that the pack of timber caught onto another one, breaking the strapping and causing the timber to fall.

Both incidents are still being investigated.

The regulator notes that while there is considerable guidance on securing loads to prevent them from moving while a truck is driven, less guidance is available on controlling the risk of loads moving during loading or unloading.

To manage the health and safety risks involved with loading and unloading materials from trucks, a safe system of work should be implemented and maintained, the regulator states.

This involves a four-step risk management process:

• Identifying hazards: Finding out what could cause harm.
• Assessing risks: Understanding the nature of the harm that could be caused by the hazard, how serious the harm could be and the likelihood of it happening.
• Controlling risks: Implementing the most effective control measure that is reasonably practicable in the circumstances.
• Reviewing the process: Assessing control measures to ensure they are working as planned.