WorkSafe stats: Six deaths, 719 injuries across Goulburn region

By Max Stainkamph

Feb 28, 2023

Too high: Six people died and 719 workers were injured across the Goulburn region in 2022. Photo: AAP. Photo by AAP

Six people died and 719 were injured in the workplace across the Goulburn region in 2022, according to new data published by WorkSafe, with Greater Shepparton recording the equal second most deaths on worksites in regional Victoria.

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Four people died in Wellington Shire in Gippsland, which was the highest death toll in a regional Victorian local government area, but Shepparton recorded three deaths — the equal second most in regional Victoria.

Six deaths occurred in the Goulburn region — three in Shepparton, two in Strathbogie and one in Murrindindi — with five of those deaths vehicle accidents and one person hit by an animal.

In total, 61 people lost their lives across Victoria at workplace accidents last year.

The 719 injury claims made across the Goulburn region — encompassing the Greater Shepparton, Mitchell, Moira, Murrundindi, and Strathbogie LGAs — were mostly in healthcare and social assistance (136) or manufacturing (111) industries.

Agriculture, forestry and fishing industries accounted for 69 injury claims, while the construction industry accounted for 66.

Most injury claims (232) were from body stressing, while 183 of them were from falls, trips and slips, and 128 being hit by moving objects.

Mental stress accounted for 108 injury claims.

WorkSafe chief executive officer Colin Radford is urging Victorians to think about safety in their own workplaces while reflecting on the lasting impact of deaths and serious injuries.

“Both employers and workers should understand that there is no such thing as unavoidable workplace harm,” he said.

“Every single work-related death and injury in 2022 could have been prevented, along with the pain and suffering endured by the families, friends and colleagues of those impacted.”

Mr Radford said WorkSafe would continue to target high-risk industries and sectors to ensure the right measures were in place to control their specific health and safety risks.

“It’s incredibly frustrating that we are still seeing the same type of incidents happen in workplaces where the hazards and controls should be well known,” he said.

“WorkSafe has a range of enforcement tools at its disposal for duty holders who fail to provide a safe and healthy workplace, including possible court action with significant potential penalties.”