Expert advice and guidance on offer for Health and Safety Month

WorkSafe's annual Health and Safety Month will kick off on Thursday 1 October – with 37 in-person events at 17 locations across the state followed by 12 online webinars to inform conversations about workplace safety.

Sessions are free to attend and will provide employers, workers, health and safety representatives and industry stakeholders with expert advice on current trends and issues. There will also be practical tools and resources to create safer workplaces and reduce workplace harm.

There will be a spotlight on high-risk industries including healthcare and social assistance, construction, manufacturing, agriculture and the public sector as well as psychological health in Victorian workplaces.

WorkSafe Chief Executive Officer Cathy Henderson said the month-long program was a golden opportunity to hear the latest advice and insights from health and safety experts.

"There's a great mix of in-person events, live demonstrations and online webinars available throughout October to update knowledge and discover ways to prevent workplace harm," Ms Henderson said.

"These sessions will equip participants with the information and tools to make a real difference in their workplaces while also promoting WorkSafe's objectives of reducing workplace harm, returning people to work and improving workplace safety and wellbeing."

Safety on construction sites will be a focus of tradies' breakfast events at Laverton and Traralgon, while there will also be specialised sessions on mining and quarrying in Dandenong and Bacchus March, farm safety at Tatura, and manufacturing in Dandenong.

Webinars will include a range of topics including psychological health, worker consultation and representation, health and safety innovation, workplace exposure limits, fall prevention and how to reduce WorkCover premiums.

Registrations are now open for all events, with each session including a question and answer segment for participants to get advice on any workplace health and safety issues or concerns.

Face-to-face events will take place in:

• Melbourne – 1 and 2 October
• Mildura – 5 October
• Ballarat – 7 October
• Warrnambool – 8 October
• Wangaratta – 8 October
• Werribee – 9 October
• Bendigo – 12 October
• Laverton – 13 October
• Geelong – 14 October
• Tatura – 15 October
• Albury / Wodonga – 15 October
• Shepparton – 15 and 16 October
• Traralgon – 19 and 20 October
• Dandenong – 21 and 22 October
• Bacchus Marsh – 23 October

Webinars will run from 26 to 30 October.