Collaboration and enforcement key to reducing harm

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

It’s a principle that drives WorkSafe Victoria’s engagement with workplaces across the state, including those in Victoria’s extractives industry, such as quarrying, mining and supporting businesses.

It’s also at the heart of WorkSafe’s Strategy, which sets significant five-year targets to reduce work-related fatalities by 30 per cent and injuries by 20 per cent, alongside improving return-to-work rates by 10 per cent.

WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said collaborating with industry would be key to the strategy’s success.

“WorkSafe has set ambitious prevention targets for the next five years – but we know we can’t influence change and improve safety on our own,” Mr Jenkin said.

“That’s why we’re committed to working in partnership with industry to ensure employers and workers have the tools and information to reduce harm.”

This includes providing opportunities to share insights and expertise, through events such as the recent Health and Safety Month which reached more than 17,000 people.

The WorkSafe Strategy also highlights the critical role of compliance and enforcement to uphold accountability and promote a culture where safety is non-negotiable.

Mr Jenkin said WorkSafe’s Statement of Regulatory Intent outlined its approach to target industries and hazards linked to the most harm.

The statement highlights a number of hazards prevalent in the mining and earth resources industry, such as occupational illness and disease, falls from height, hazardous manual handling, loading and unloading, and mobile plant.

“The safety of workers in workplaces is our highest priority, so it makes sense that we focus resources on the hazards causing the greatest harm, and the sectors where the greatest harm is happening,” he said.

WorkSafe will continue to use a range of tools to improve safety across all industries, including targeted visits and assessment programs, as well as education, awareness building and collaborative initiatives to influence change.

“By focusing our energy and resources, and by sharing perspectives, insights and expertise, together we can create safer workplaces for everyone.”

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