Case Study: Wheel Chocks Prevent Accidents
- bansip
- Dec 18, 2025
- 3 min read
Learning from real roll-away incidents on Australian worksites
Vehicle roll-away incidents continue to cause serious injuries and fatalities across Australian worksites. According to Safe Work Australia, vehicles that are not safely immobilised can roll and “hit, crush, trap or run over” people — particularly during loading, unloading and maintenance activities.
In response to this ongoing risk, Australian safety regulators consistently identify wheel chocks as a primary control to prevent unintended vehicle movement.
👉 If your site uses vehicles on slopes, during loading, or for maintenance, this is the exact risk wheel chocks are designed to control.
Real Incident: Worker Fatally Struck by Roll-Away Truck (NSW, 2022)
In 2022, SafeWork NSW published details of an incident in which a worker was fatally struck by an uncontrolled flatbed truck. The vehicle rolled down a slope after being parked and left unattended.
SafeWork NSW identified that the vehicle was not adequately immobilised, allowing it to move unexpectedly. The incident was used by the regulator to highlight the dangers of vehicle roll-aways and the importance of proper immobilisation controls.
Reference: SafeWork NSW – Worker fatally struck by roll-away truck https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/compliance-and-prosecutions/incident-information-releases/other-industries/worker-fatally-struck-by-rollaway-truck
👉 This type of incident is exactly what properly sized wheel chocks are designed to prevent.
Real Incident: Bus Roll-Away Sparks Safety Warning (South Australia, 2025)
In South Australia, SafeWork SA issued a safety alert after a bus rolled approximately 10 metres down an incline, seriously injuring the driver.
Following the incident, SafeWork SA warned that:
Brake systems alone may be insufficient
Vehicles parked on gradients face increased roll-away risk
Additional physical restraints are required to prevent movement
In its guidance, SafeWork SA specifically referenced wheel chocks as a control measure when vehicles are parked on slopes or during maintenance and loading activities.
Reference: SafeWork SA – Bus roll-away sparks safety warning
👉 If your vehicles operate on uneven or sloped ground, wheel chocks are a simple, regulator-endorsed safeguard.
What Regulators Consistently Identify
Across these incidents, regulators consistently identify the same contributing factors:
Vehicles left on slopes without sufficient restraint
Over-reliance on park brakes or mechanical systems
Absence of physical controls to prevent movement
Safe Work Australia states that wheel chocks are a practical and effective control to prevent roll-aways, particularly when vehicles are stationary for work activities.
Reference: Safe Work Australia – Prevention of Vehicle Roll-Aways Fact Sheet
👉 Wheel chocks directly address every risk listed above — without relying on mechanical systems alone.
Where Wheel Chocks Fit into Compliance
Under Work Health and Safety Regulation 213 (Powered Mobile Plant), persons with management or control of powered mobile plant must ensure it is immobilised to prevent unintentional movement.
Safe Work Australia’s Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice reinforces that:
Mechanical systems such as brakes can fail
Physical restraints should be used where reasonably practicable
Wheel chocks are a recognised immobilisation method
References:
Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice
Safe Work Australia – WHS Regulations 2011 (Regulation 213)https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/law-and-regulation/work-health-and-safety-regulations
👉 Using compliant wheel chocks helps demonstrate that practical immobilisation controls are in place.
The Preventable Factor
In each of the incidents referenced above, the core issue was lack of effective vehicle immobilisation.
Had correctly sized and properly positioned wheel chocks been used:
Vehicle movement could have been physically blocked
Roll-away risk significantly reduced
The likelihood of serious injury or fatal outcomes minimised
👉 Wheel chocks are one of the simplest controls you can put in place today.
Why Standard Wheel Chocks Matter
Wheel chocks do not need to be complex to be effective. When selected correctly and used consistently, standard wheel chocks:
Provide a physical barrier against roll-aways
Reduce reliance on braking systems alone
Protect workers during high-risk stationary tasks
Support compliance with WHS obligations
Address the exact risks identified in regulator investigations
Choosing the Right Wheel Chocks for Your Site
Different vehicles and operating environments require different wheel chock sizes and materials. Selecting the correct option is critical to both safety and compliance.
CCS supplies a full range of rated wheel chocks suitable for:
Light vehicles and trailers
Trucks and rigid vehicles
Mobile plant and heavy equipment
👉 View our full Wheel Chocks range here:
Final Safety Reminder
The incidents referenced in this case study demonstrate that vehicle roll-aways are real, recurring risks on Australian worksites.
Wheel chocks remain one of the most effective and regulator-endorsed controls to prevent these incidents.If a vehicle is parked, unattended, or being worked on, wheel chocking should never be optional.
👉 Make sure your site is equipped with the right controls.
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