By Charlene Gatt
CITY of Maribyrnong workers have claimed nearly $72 million in work-related accidents over the past five years.
Workplaces in the municipality have forked out $71,799,233 to cover the medical expenses, wages and other expenses for cases where the person was off work for 10 days or more and/or had treatment costs exceeding $580.
A total 3698 claims were made between July 2006 and June 2011. The figure does not include self-employed people.
The statistics are part of a new WorkSafe campaign that is reminding business owners it pays to keep your workplace safe.
The campaign is calling on businesses to make any necessary safety improvements before a WorkSafe inspector visits.
A recent Comparative Performance and Monitoring report compiled by Safe Work Austr-
alia revealed a 30 per cent drop
in the rate of workplace injuries in Victoria between 2004 and 2010.
WorkSafe’s health and safety executive director Ian Forsyth was thrilled with the result, but said Victorian workplaces should not rest on their laurels.
“This campaign reminds employers that WorkSafe inspectors are out and about and that they are serious about safety,” Mr Forsyth said.
“Plenty of people are doing the right thing, but our inspectors come across the same problems over and over again.
“They’re generally basic matters that can be fixed at little or no cost, but if left undone can have devastating consequences.
“They are known hazards with known solutions. Workplaces need to find and fix problems, not wait for an inspector to come or for someone to be hurt or killed.”
