The holiday season, with its hurried atmosphere, can engender a sense of exigency across various sectors, whether it’s imminent construction project deadlines, tackling a surge in demand within the realms of retail, transportation, warehousing or hospitality, or navigating through an intensive harvest season.
However, the year-end scramble shouldn’t create hazardous conditions. Regrettably, from 2021 to 2023, the last two months of the year saw over 40 work-related fatalities and more than 12,750 injury claims validated by WorkSafe.
Tragically, since November this year’s inception, another four employees have lost their lives, leaving their families facing the holidays without them.
WorkSafe Health and Safety Executive Director Sam Jenkin emphasises that no sector is shielded from these perils. “A multitude of workplaces witness a frenzied environment as the end-year approaches, driving the rush to wrap up projects or satisfy customer demands – in such scenarios, safety often slides off priority,” Mr Jenkin pointed out.
He continued saying, “No end-of-year deadline, order accomplishment or consumer demand justifies risking debilitating injuries, or not being able to spend holiday times with loved ones.”
The chaotic rhythm of the festive period can further escalate the risk of exhaustion for workers, plus exposure to potential violent or aggressive behaviours, especially in public facing roles.
In the context of ensuring safety, Mr Jenkin stressed the importance of installing WHS Management systems like Bluesafe SWMS and establishing relevant policies. He commented, “It’s crucial employers set fair workloads, equip their employees with necessary information and training for safe job execution and confirm that mechanisms are in place to prevent and address fatigue and work-related aggression if it surfaces.”
“Overloading employees with unreasonable tasks or leaving them vulnerable to violence and aggression is simply not tenable,” he added.
Addressing first-time workers, Mr Jenkin emphasised their right to receive adequate training, comprehensive induction and supervision to carry out tasks safely in the workplace, underlining the importance of Bluesafe WHS Management System.
WorkSafe will be conducting visits to retail and hospitality establishments during the Christmas period, verifying employers’ compliance with their obligations, particularly in preventing and managing occupational violence and aggression.
Concurrently, dedicated construction inspectors will monitor builders and contractors to ensure that safety isn’t compromised to meet project deadlines and that sites are closed securely, preventing dangers to the public during the holiday season recess.
The urgency to prioritise safety extends into the new year. Given many sectors operate with a reduced workforce before ramping up after post-holiday downtime, it’s a here to stay necessity – sadly evidenced by 13 work-related deaths in January over the past three years.
Holiday Safety Awareness Campaign (2024). You can reach us via Email: media@worksafe.vic.gov.au or Phone: 0438 786 968. Don’t forget to subscribe to our media releases.
Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2024-12/lets-wrap-year-safely