WorkSafe Victoria recently issued an urgent call for businesses and workers to remain extra vigilant in the lead-up to Christmas following a two-week period in which seven workers died in tragic circumstances.
Most recently, a 49-year-old road worker died after he was run-over by a reversing street sweeping truck on Canterbury Road in Bayswater.
This was preceded by another two incidents, in which a 26-year-old worker died after he sustained fatal head injuries when a 150kg piece of machinery fell on him from an overhead crane in Campbellfield, and a 53-year-old died while carrying out routine sampling works at a Bangholme water treatment plant.
Prior to this, a 37-year-old man died in hospital after he was crushed while undergoing repair works on a dock leveler at Laverton North.
In the final three incidents, a 73-year-old farmer died after he was gored by a bull near Yea, a 45-year-old man died after a cherry picker collapsed at Lara and a 46-year-old man died after he was crushed by a vehicle at a factory in Westmeadows.
WorkSafe Victoria health and safety executive director, Ian Forsyth, urged workplaces to remain extra vigilant in the lead up to Christmas, with December being one of the busiest periods for most industries.
“What we have is an influx of young workers about to start work, industries such as hospitality and retail entering their peak season and other businesses finishing off large amounts of work before long term breaks are taken,” he said.
“Unfortunately, when businesses are flat out trying to keep up with demanding workloads, health and safety requirements can sometimes be compromised. We want employers and workers to question what is at stake if corners are cut. It’s simply not worth it.”