Premier

Regional Healthcare Workers Most At Risk From Workplace Injury

15 March 2016

New WorkSafe statistics show the highest number of injury claims in regional Victoria last year came from healthcare and social assistance workers.

Minister for Finance Robin Scott today toured the new Bendigo Hospital site and urged regional employers to make safety their first priority after also revealing that almost half of last year’s workplace fatalities were in regional Victoria.

Of the 20 people who tragically lost their lives in workplace incidents last year, nine were in regional Victoria.

Statistics also revealed that:

  • Last year, WorkSafe received 7112 claims - which is almost 20 claims a day – from country Victorians injured at work
  • Industry sectors in regional Victoria with the most claims were health care and social assistance (1237 claims), manufacturing (1180 claims) and construction (739 claims)
  • Poor manual handling was the leading cause of injury in regional workplaces, followed by slips, trips and falls

WorkSafe is targeting safety measures in the health care industry through its dedicated Health Practice team, which is developing targeted projects with key stakeholders and major employers in the health sector.

WorkSafe has also increased its inspector visits, with 1700 inspections in hospitals, aged and disability care workplaces and childcare facilities planned this financial year. Inspectors are focusing on potential hazards such as manual handling, fatigue and psychosocial risks of workers.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Finance Robin Scott

“One death on a work site is one too many. We want country employers to do everything they can to prevent injuries and ensure workers return home safely to their families.”

“WorkSafe is working with employers and stakeholders in the health sector to address the high number of work injuries affecting the staff who keep us healthy.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy

“It’s vital the Government and our healthcare sector work together to support our frontline workers to stay safe and mentally healthy, so they can do what they do best which is treating patients and saving lives.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards

“The new state-of-the-art Bendigo Hospital will have the latest facilities and technology to help keep our doctors, nurses and patients safe.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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