WorkSafe has announced that it will be targeting five key industry sectors in their efforts to reduce workplace deaths and injuries.
WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said the new approach was part of their strategy to achieve significant five-year targets to reduce fatalities by 30% and reduce injuries by 20%.
The industries identified with the highest rates of harm, relative to the size of the industry, are health care and social assistance, construction, government, agriculture, and manufacturing. Together these industries account for approximately 40% of the workforce and almost 60% of work-related deaths and workplace injury claims.
WorkSafe will be making targeted workplace visits and assessments in these industries, as well as continuing their role of providing education and information via collaborative initiatives with employers in all industries to make Victorian employees safer at work.
As well as targeting key industries, WorkSafe will also focus on those hazards that have been identified as causing the most physical and psychological harm –
- falls from height
- occupational violence and aggression
- hazardous manual handling
- bullying and harassment
- occupational illness and disease
- truck loading and unloading
- mobile plant
Mr Jenkins said, "WorkSafe has set ambitious prevention targets for the next five years – but we know we can't influence change and improve safety on our own."
“Holding employers to account is a key part of our strategy and WorkSafe won't hesitate to use every regulatory tool available against employers who fail to protect workers – including potential criminal charges," he said.
WorkSafe details their key priorities over the next year in their WorkSafe Victoria Strategy, developed in close consultation with community stakeholders.
Read more: Key industries on WorkSafe's radar to reduce harm | WorkSafe Victoria