The Case

WHSQ v Foodbank Qld Ltd (2022)

Foodbank Queensland Ltd (Foodbank) is a charitable organisation that stores and distributes food to other charities. Foodbank has paid employees, but also relies on volunteers to operate its warehouses.

In March 2020, a volunteer was struck by a forklift that was being used to unload goods from a truck for storage in Foodbank’s warehouse. The volunteer had entered the loading zone while taking a break and stood near the truck. The volunteer sustained serious injuries to their pelvis and foot as a result of the collision.