WorkSafe considers that Epsilon Ventures Limited has likely breached the Act by failing to manage the risks associated with pedestrians and mobile plant operating in the same area of the workplace.

On Tuesday 23 December 2025 WorkSafe received a notification regarding an incident that had occurred at their workplace at Westfield Mall, Riccarton Road, Christchurch, and began an investigation. Following a scene attendance, the investigation included obtaining information and documentation from Epsilon Ventures Limited and speaking with the injured party. After reviewing all of the evidence obtained during the investigation, WorkSafe has formed the view that the following events occurred:

• A worker (the victim) for Epsilon Ventures Limited, was working in the warehouse area, close to the main roller door access.
• Another worker for Epsilon Ventures Limited was operating a forklift in the same area.
• The other worker had just finished taking a pallet out through the roller door entrance to a waiting truck and then, having signed the driver’s paperwork, he had driven back into the warehouse.
• He then began reversing towards the roller door. The driver does not appear to have seen the victim when he started reversing.
• The victim was putting boxes on to a pallet near to the roller door. He walked backwards alongside the pallet, into the path of the reversing forklift.
• The victim was struck by the forklift, which knocked him to the ground and ran over his right leg, causing significant injury.
• At the time of the incident, the warehouse area was quite congested, with numerous stacks of pallets in the loading area, along with bins and other items.

WorkSafe believes that in these circumstances it was reasonably practicable to have:

• managed the risk of serious injury arising from pedestrians and mobile plant working in the same area of the warehouse.

Epsilon Ventures Limited have indicated they are prepared to accept a formal warning with regards to this incident.