WorkSafe is calling on all Victorians to prioritise health and safety in the workplace following the deaths of 65 workers 2020.

WorkSafe chief executive Colin Radford says every death was a tragedy for families, workplaces and communities grappling with the loss of a loved one.

“These are not numbers or statistics. They are loved members of our families and communities. Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, siblings, colleagues and team mates, who died as a result of a workplace incident that should have been avoided,” he says.

“There is no excuse for taking shortcuts and failing to make health and safety your number one priority.

“Victorian employers and workers – all of us – can and must do more to reduce the number of workplace deaths.”

The 2020 toll includes 29 workers who died in a Victorian workplace incident and 20 workers who died in work-related road incidents.

A further 13 workers died from the effects of disease contracted as a result of their work, one worker died following a workplace-related medical incident and one worker died from a workplace-related suicide.

As of 1 July, the criteria for defining a workplace fatality was broadened to include deaths from work-related transport incidents, disease, criminal acts and medical or suicide incidents, to ensure every workplace death is recognised and acknowledged and every family gets the support they deserve.

Colin adds that 20 work-related road deaths was a sobering reminder that employers have a duty to protect all their workers, no matter where they are employed.

“It doesn’t matter if workers are on a construction site, at the farm, in an office or on the road – health and safety should travel with them wherever they are working,” he says.

“Employers must ensure they implement systems of work to manage fatigue, ensure drivers are properly trained and licensed, and that vehicles are maintained in a safe condition.”

There were 12 deaths in the public administration and safety industry in 2020, which was the most dangerous industry in the state.

This includes the deaths of four police officers killed on the Eastern Freeway in April and five emergency services personnel who died from the effects of diseases contracted at work.

“It is unacceptable for so many deaths to involve trucks, machinery and mobile plant when the risks and how to control them are well known for these hazards,” Colin concludes.

“Slow down, check your systems of work and make sure you are doing everything possible to eliminate or manage these risks because the cost of not doing so can be a life.”