More than two-thirds of workplace deaths in Victoria last year happened in regional areas, prompting a reminder from the state’s work safety watchdog to take care on the job.
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WorkSafe data from 2016 showed 26 people died while working in Victoria last year, 18 of whom were killed working outside of Melbourne.
“No worker should ever lose their life simply because they were doing their job,” WorkSafe chief executive Clare Amies said.
“It is a tragic fact that every workplace death and injury can be avoided so we need to ensure that safety is a priority,” Ms Amies said.
It is a tragic fact that every workplace death and injury can be avoided so we need to ensure that safety is a priority.
- Clare Amies, WorkSafe CEO
It was the sixth consecutive year Bendigo recorded a decrease in workplace injuries, down 16 reports since 2015, and 76 fewer than 2011.
The trend continued across the state with a 12 per cent decrease in injury reports recorded since 2011. The drop comes despite rising workplace participation.
But health care and social assistance employees in Bendigo remained those most likely to get hurt at work, with “body stressing” – injuries from manual handling – the most common reason they required time off.
It was a different story in the Mount Alexander shire where manufacturing made up one-third of all injuries.
Among those was Bendigo resident Aimee Drewitt; the process worker had her hand crushed by a box of frozen meat last August.
While she returned to work the month, the injury was aggravated in December, again sidelining her from work.
Ms Drewitt described the process of doctors appointments and insurance claims as a stressful one, and wished employers would invest more in training to prevent dangerous mistakes being made.
The data release coincided with the launch of WorkSafe’s annual awards, which recognise workplaces and safety innovators for their efforts to protect employee wellbeing.
Entries close on May 31. More information at www.worksafeawards.com.au.