Victorian news
UMM.... New campaign aimed at young workers
'UMM' is WorkSafe’s latest social campaign for young workers, aimed at helping them identify unsafe behaviour in the workplace and find ways to speak up or take action.
The regulator says the term 'UMM' refers to that familiar feeling when something's not quite right. When the line of safety is being crossed and you don't know exactly what to do about it.
Young workers will be directed to WorkSafe’s UMM website where they can find useful information and resources. If you're a young worker or you know a young worker working in an unsafe workplace, contact the Young Workers Centre for assistance and advice. Read more: WorkSafe media release; Young workers and OHS
New WorkSafe Safety Alert
A new safety alert highlights the hazards and risks associated with traffic management and work related violence and aggression at drive-through COVID-19 testing centres. WorkSafe says the current increase in the number of cases of COVID-19 is placing strain on drive-through testing centres. Due to the recent Omicron outbreak there were higher volumes of vehicles moving through the sites and longer waiting times and employees were at increased risk of being struck by a moving vehicle and of experiencing work related violence and aggression.
While the situation has improved over the past couple of weeks, the regulator recommends that all drive-through COVID-19 testing centres should have traffic management plans in place. Additional safety measures to reduce the risk of work related violence and aggression should also be implemented, and the safety alert provides examples. Read more: Safety at COVID-19 drive-through testing centres
Reminder: WorkSafe is recruiting inspectors
The closing date for applications for a number of general specialist construction inspector positions in various Victorian locations is February 14. WorkSafe is holding a number of virtual information sessions on the positions, to provide applicants with an opportunity to learn more about the organisation, culture, the Inspector role and recruitment process. These are optional and do not form part of the application. If you are an experienced and passionate HSR, you could make a fabulous inspector. So take a look at this page if you're interested.
WorkSafe Awards Dinner
Due to the number of COVID-19 infections still being relatively high, WorkSafe has decided to postpone its Awards Dinner to April 21. It's a terrific night - particularly for the finalists and their workmates, colleagues and for their union. More information and to buy tickets (date still to be updated)
National Fatality Statistics 2022
Safe Work Australia updated its statistics on fatalities on February 3, at which time it had been notified that 12 Australian workers had been killed at work this year. The fatalities have been in the following sectors:
- 6 in Transport, postal & warehousing
- 2 in Agriculture, forestry & fishing
- 2 in Electricity, gas, water & waste services
- 1 in Construction
- 1 in Public administration & safety
These figures are based mainly on initial media reports and provide a preliminary estimate of the number of people killed while working. Once the appropriate authority has investigated the death, more accurate information becomes available from which Safe Work Australia updates details of the incident, consequently sometimes the numbers of deaths in each sector change. To check for updates, and for more details on fatalities since 2003, go to the Safe Work Australia Preliminary worker deaths webpage. Updated information is used to publish Safe Work Australia’s annual Work-related Traumatic Injury Fatalities database which includes finalised work-related fatalities from 2003 onwards. Note that the figures are based on preliminary reports, and so at times will change.