Over the next 12 months WorkSafe Victoria inspectors are targeting five industries to help reduce workplace deaths and injuries. Together, these industries account for almost 60% of all work-related deaths and accepted workplace injury claims in the past five years.
The target industries include:
Health care and social assistance,
Construction,
Government,
Agriculture, and
Manufacturing
WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer said the new approach was part of a plan to achieve significant five-year targets outlined in the WorkSafe Victoria Statement of Regulatory Intent which includes reducing fatalities by 30% and injuries by 20%. They will be using a range of tools to improve safety across priority areas which include:
Targeted visits,
Assessment programs,
Education,
Awareness-building and collaborative initiatives.
WorkSafe Vic will also be focusing on key hazards which have caused the most physical and psychological harm across all industries, including:
Falls from height,
Occupational violence and aggression,
Hazardous manual handling,
Bullying and harassment,
Occupational illness and disease,
Loading and unloading equipment, and
Mobile plants.
For more information visit WorkSafe Victoria.