Victoria steps up workplace safety inspections amid rising death toll

Victoria is stepping up workplace safety inspections across its highest-risk industries, with construction, healthcare, agriculture and transport among the sectors facing greater scrutiny.

WorkSafe Victoria will focus on five industries that together accounted for more than 60 per cent of the state’s 61 workplace deaths last year and 55 per cent of its 26,323 injury claims.

Construction remains a key concern

Construction continues to record the highest number of workplace fatalities in the state. Twenty-six workers were killed and more than 10,600 injured in the sector over three years, with falls from height remaining the leading cause of workplace deaths.

The expanded inspections will focus on falls, vehicles and machinery, hazardous manual handling, workplace violence and psychosocial risks.

"No worker should risk their life just going to work, that's why we're targeting the hazards doing the most damage in the workplaces doing the most harm," Dimopoulos said.

WorkSafe will also receive expanded enforcement powers, including the ability to issue infringement notices for additional offences and on-the-spot fines for falls from height.

"Focusing on the industries and hazards causing the greatest harm lets us make the biggest difference. We'll keep backing employers who do the right thing — and acting against those who don't," Dimopoulos said.

Young workers face separate checks

The government is also targeting retail and hospitality businesses employing children under 15 during the upcoming school holidays.

Workforce Inspectorate Victoria (WIV) will inspect businesses to check whether young workers are being employed lawfully and have adequate safety measures in place.

Common risks in these workplaces include burns from cooking equipment, cuts from knives, manual handling injuries and inadequate supervision.

Previous school holiday inspections identified 574 potential breaches of Victoria's child employment laws and resulted in one prosecution.

Businesses employing children under 15 must hold a child employment licence and meet requirements covering the type of work, supervision, working hours and rest breaks.

During school holidays, children can work for up to six hours a day and 30 hours a week.

Focus on safe entry into workforce

Deputy Commissioner of Workforce Inspectorate Victoria Lily Dekic said the inspections would focus on ensuring young workers have appropriate supervision and breaks.

"Ensuring children under 15 receive proper supervision and breaks will help them to enjoy their first experience in the workforce," she said.

Dekic said businesses could obtain a free licence to employ younger workers but must comply with its conditions.

"We support businesses through the licence process, educate them on their obligations — we prefer to help than prosecute," she said.

Victoria's child employment licences are free, remain valid for up to two years and can cover multiple children under a single application.