Workplace Injuries Cost Businesses $Millions

Victorian businesses spent $956 million in 2009 on workplace injuries that cost little or nothing to prevent, according to WorkSafe Victoria.

WorkSafe strategic programs director Trevor Martin revealed musculoskeletal injuries accounted for more than half of all workplace injuries in the State.

He said injuries to the nerves, bones, tissue and muscles were usually overlooked since no blood was involved.

Mr Martin and WorkSafe Victoria wish to reduce the 17,000 injuries of this kind that occur in Victoria every year.

Observing OH&S procedures, purchasing and using proper safety equipment and exercising common sense and caution is the recommended course of action for Victorian businesses.

“These injuries are mostly preventable, because in many cases, simply cleaning up a spill on the floor or providing some lifting equipment eliminates the risk.” Said Mr Martin.

To change the perception about musculoskeletal injuries, WorkSafe is embarking on a major advertising campaign to show these injuries are not exclusive to people whose jobs involve heavy lifting.

Many jobs require an element of physicality that has the potential to cause injury if proper equipment is not used and caution is not exercised.

“In reality, workers in child care, retail, hospitality and other sectors not normally associated with heavy lifting suffer debilitating injuries every day,” Mr Martin noted.

WorkSafe Victoria is hoping that their new campaign will help raise awareness in these sectors that aren’t normally associated with heavy lifting. If businesses can identify potential risks, they can fix these problems before injuries occur.

Read more Safety Superstore Safety News.