Don’t let workplace safety grind to a halt this silly season.
That’s the message from WorkSafe, which is calling on employers and employees to make safety a priority in the final weeks of 2017.
According to WorkSafe statistics, more Victorian workers die in the weeks leading up to Christmas than at any other time of year, with almost 25 per cent of all workplace fatalities occurring in November and December.
This year, 848 injury claims have been logged between January 1 and October 30 in Wyndham, with musculoskeletal injuries – typically caused by manual handling tasks – topping the list.
Among the reported workplace incidents were:
•A worker in Werribee South who sustained an electric shock when an air-conditioning unit he was working on was turned back on without his knowledge.
•A Point Cook worker who received a puncture wound after accidentally shooting himself in his left knee cap with his nail gun.
•A worker in Werribee whose index and middle finger became entangled with the mixing blade of a rubber mixer while the mixer was in operation, resulting in the fingers being severed or partially severed.
•A Werribee worker who fell off the mobile rock crusher he was using, suffering a broken ankle.
WorkSafe health and safety executive director Marnie Williams said there were a number of reasons why this period was a dangerous time of year for workers.
“We know many employers and employees are rushing to meet deadlines and complete projects,” Ms Williams said.
“We also know that many people are eagerly looking forward to their upcoming holidays and Christmas celebrations, so maybe they are getting distracted from the tasks at hand.
“That is why it is so important for everyone to put safety first, to take care and stay safe at work.”
