The number of work days lost by Brimbank council staff due to workplace injuries has more than tripled in the past seven years.
Staff missed 1568 days last financial year, compared with 409 in 2005-06.
A council spokesman said the sharp increase was underpinned by nine serious claims in 2012-13. He said five of the claims involved major surgical procedures. The council was unable to disclose details.
Three of the claims were stress-related.
“These tend to be the most difficult to manage and return to work,” a council report found.
The total number of WorkCover claims made by council staff in the same period dropped from 62 to 30, while the number of ‘‘lost time’’ injuries was also down, from 41 to 18.
Council’s infrastructure and environment division accounted for 1017 days lost last financial year. As of June this year, the council employed 1368 people, an increase of 71 staff on the same time last year.
WorkSafe health and safety general manager Lisa Sturzenegger said 2724 Brimbank residents had filed compensation claims in the past five years, with 20 per cent coming from within the manufacturing industry.
“More than 52 per cent of the total claims reported were for musculoskeletal disorders, like sprains, strains, torn ligaments and bad backs,” she said.
