Four regional workplace deaths in less than a month

10 May 2011

WorkSafe has renewed calls for regional Victorians and workers to pay more attention to workplace safety after four deaths since the start of a major awareness campaign less than a month ago.

The latest fatality was at the weekend on a farm near Nangiloc in the state’s north-west where an 18-year old-woman was crushed by a four-wheeled farm utility vehicle which overturned.

WorkSafe is investigating the incident.

The spate of regional deaths in regional areas since the launch ofWorkSafe campaign targeting regional workplace safety concerns said WorkSafe’s Executive Director of Health and Safety, Ian Forsyth.

“Of the seven traumatic work-related injuries this year four have been in the past month and of these three were on farms. All but one of the deaths this year have been in regional Victoria.

“Safety's not just about what WorkSafe does. It's about employers, workers and the wider community taking ownership of it not just for themselves, but the wider community,” Mr Forsyth said.

“It is imperative that regional Victorians, whether they are employers, self-employed or workers to stop and think about what is ultimately important to them and what they can do to prevent more tragedies affecting them and their communities.”

Mr Forsyth said consultation with the workforce, setting standards and ensuring they’re adhered to was the start of developing safer workplaces.

“Keeping on top of potential issues and maintenance

During 2010, 23 Victorians died in traumatic circumstances at work. Twelve of these deaths were in regional Victoria, including seven people working in agriculture.

Dozens more received life-threatening injuries and more than 7,500 regional Victorians lodge workplace injury insurance claims each year with many more suffering other injuries.

Information on making workplaces safer can be found online at www.worksafe.vic.gov.au or by calling WorkSafe’s telephone advisory service on 1800 136 089.

Work related deaths in 2011:

1. 2 February: A 53-year-old man was crushed by a large metal panel that fell and hit him as a shipping container was being unloaded in Melbourne’s south-east.
2. 1 March: A man died on a farm at Tallandoon in the state’s north east when a tractor rolled over.
3. 3 March: A teacher drowned at Torquay while on a school excursion.
4. 12 April: A farm worker received crushing injuries when a cow pushed him against a wall on a farm near Inverloch
5. 20 April: At Apsley near the South Australian border an excavator operator died when a tree he was working near fell on to the cabin of his machine.
6. 22 April: A 94-year-old farmer died in a quad bike crash on his property at Hedley in South Gippsland
7. 8 May: An 18 year old farm worker died on an almond plantation near Nangiloc when a four wheeled farm utility vehicle tipped on to its side as the rider was taking a turn.