Over 1,000 forklift operators work at the Brisbane Produce Market – and Alfred Finau was number one in 2021
Forklift operator Alfred Finau has been crowned the Brisbane Produce Market (BML) 2021 Forklift Operator of the Year.
Finau, an operator for Costa Farms, was selected as the overall winner following assessments based on safe work practices.
After a third-place finish last year, Finau’s “sensational commitment to safety” saw him stand out amongst operators at the Brisbane Markets site and, as well as the title, will also pocket a cash prize of $3,000.
Following the win, Finau says he will share the winnings with his brother – Na’a – who won the event in 2019.
“When Na’a won, he shared his winnings with me, so now I get to repay the favour,” says Finau.
Forklift operators were nominated across a six-week period, where they entered an observation round.
All operators were assessed on their safe work practices by market officers, operations senior staff, Brismark staff, Work Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) representatives and members of BML’s Advisory Committee.
Following the observation round, results were tallied where the top 10 finalists competed over a competency course, which tested skills of safety, time and procedural requirements.
Given the duration of the observation period, which aligned with BML’s Safety Month activities, the event worked to influence a positive safety culture over an extended period, the markets says.
“Promoting a positive safety culture is one of BML’s main priorities,” it adds.
“The event is a fantastic way to reward forklift operators who do the right thing and take a proactive approach to manage safety during their daily work activities.”
The Brisbane Produce Market, located in the southside suburb of Rocklea, boasts over 45,000 people working or doing business daily.
A fleet of 386 registered forklifts and 1,072 forklift operator permits onsite makes it the highest concentration of forklift operators in Queensland.