Fresh produce sections in several Woolworths supermarkets across Sydney are empty following the recent death of a worker at a distribution center in the city’s west. The distribution center was closed for approximately 24 hours and reopened on Wednesday evening. This particular center is responsible for supplying Greater Sydney.
As a result of the shutdown, fresh produce shelves in Neutral Bay, Leichhardt, North Sydney, and Marrickville have been stripped of items such as apples, bananas, nuts, and leafy greens. The shortage occurred because the produce trucks did not arrive at the stores as scheduled.
A spokesperson from Woolworths stated that normal operations have now resumed, and teams are working to replenish stock levels over the weekend. However, there may be slight delays in restocking certain products, including fruits and vegetables, until next week. Woolworths expressed gratitude to customers for their understanding during this time.
The tragic accident at the distribution center involved the collapse of pallets and resulted in the death of a 37-year-old member of the Woolworths supply chain team. Two other workers were also seriously injured but have since been discharged from the hospital.
Primary Connect, which is part of the Woolworths Group’s supply chain, is cooperating with the NSW Police and SafeWork NSW in investigating the incident. They will also conduct an internal investigation. The union representing retail, fast food, and warehouse workers, SDA NSW, has written to SafeWork to request further information about the incident and to conduct an industry-wide audit.
