Published: 27 June 2017
A stablehand in her late 40s died after falling from a horse during a training session just before 9am at Bendigo Jockey Club.
It is understood the woman was taking part in barrier work when her horse suffered an injury and stumbled. The woman fell to the ground and was struck by her horse. The horse was subsequently put down.
Soon after 10am, a carpenter died after falling from the first floor of a house being built at Kalkallo, just north of Melbourne. The carpenter, in his late 60s, was installing flooring on the first floor of a double storey house when he fell to the ground.
WorkSafe is investigating both incidents.
These deaths bring to four the number of workers who have died in Victoria in less than seven days.
Last Tuesday, a man in his mid-50s died after the fertiliser spreader truck he was driving rolled down a hill at a property at Limestone, south of Yea. On Wednesday, a man in his 40s died after he fell from a stationary truck at a chicken breeding farm at Freshwater Creek near Geelong.
WorkSafe’s Executive Director of Health and Safety, Marnie Williams, said it had been a horror week for Victorian workers and their families.
“Each of these deaths is a tragedy that is devastating for their families, their workmates and their communities,” Ms Williams said.
“It can never be acceptable that a worker does not get home safely at the end of each day. It is why employers and workers must remain vigilant, don’t take risks and put safety first.”