Workers' safety a priority

Every Victorian worker deserves to return home safely at the end of the day.

This is a principle that drives everything we do at WorkSafe, and it’s why Health and Safety Month is such an important moment on our calendar to drive conversations about workplace safety.

Since 1 October, WorkSafe has been out on the road to kick-start a month of free workplace safety, including a Tradies Breakfast at Wallington and a session for more than 200 attendees at GMHBA Stadium earlier this week.

These events highlight key safety issues across the region, including preventing violence and aggression in healthcare settings, supporting injured workers returning to work, and safely managing dangerous goods.

In Greater Geelong, nearly half of all accepted workplace injury claims last financial year came from the healthcare and social assistance, construction, and manufacturing industries.

This data reinforces the importance of our roadshow’s expert, practical advice that speaks directly to the hazards faced by many Victorian workers in high-risk industries.

By creating opportunities to learn and connect with industry peers, we know everyone will leave feeling better equipped to identify and address the health and safety risks in their workplace.

Our Health and Safety Month calendar includes a series of further breakfast events where local tradies can grab a free feed, catch up with their colleagues, and hear up-to-date safety information.

WorkSafe is partnering with the National Centre for Farmer Health to host a Farm Safety Day with a focus on critical safety issues in agriculture, while a dedicated manufacturing session will be held in Dandenong.

From construction sites to hospitals, farms to factories, every industry faces unique challenges.

That’s why our live and online events cover a wide range of topics, making sure our advice is evolving along with the emerging trends and changes in each sector.

For example, the Victorian Government’s new regulations to strengthen protections against work-related psychosocial hazards will commence in December.

Many of this year’s Health and Safety Month events and webinars will put those changes in the spotlight – including a dedicated webinar on 27 October to offer support and guidance around the new obligations to employers.

On 29 October, I’ll also be joining Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin for a webinar sharing WorkSafe’s safety strategy, including our plan to reduce workplace deaths by 30 per cent and cut injuries by 20 per cent.

These goals are ambitious, but they reflect our deep commitment to making Victorian workplaces safer.

This October is your chance hear from experts, ask important questions, and share your own experience of health and safety.

Together, we can build safer workplaces and stronger communities.

See the full schedule of events and register at worksafe.vic.gov.au/events.