WorkSafe will be shining a light on the safety practices of various industries across the west in a concerted effort to reduce workplace accidents.
Regional operations manager Melissa Battisti said WorkSafe would conduct targeted operations in food manufacturing plants, fabricated metal operations, the health-care sector, construction industry, retail, agriculture and transport and warehousing this year to improve health and safety at work.
Figures from WorkSafe reveal that 70 workplace incidents, including eight in the western suburbs, were reported between February 26 and March 11 this year.
Incidents included a gas line hit by an excavator in Taylors Lakes; a worker in Derrimut who sustained a laceration when the chisel he was using to repair a door slipped and hit his thumb; and a worker in Werribee who rolled his ankle when he stepped on some roof battens on the ground.
Workers in Brimbank made 3229 WorkSafe claims totalling $22 million between 2008 and 2014.
Ms Battisti said workplace safety was important to businesses, employees and their families, and employers needed to identify hazards, assess and implement safe work practices and provide the necessary equipment, training and supervision for employees to do their jobs safely.
“Any injury is a tragedy, or very upsetting or painful for the people involved,” she said.
“It’s vital we investigate those injuries so we can prevent recurrences. Most injuries are preventable. With the growth of new businesses, employers spend a lot of time planning their business but must also consider how they plan to work safely.
“They should be eliminating risks by safe design, layout of equipment and making sure they purchase any safety devices that come with equipment.
“We need to take care of our young workers, in particular the 15 to 24-year-olds.
“They may think they’re bulletproof, but we need to make sure we take the time to explain the hazards, and the controls, and then supervise them.”
