A new WorkSafe campaign is highlighting the risk of workplace incidents when workers rush to meet unrealistic end-of-year deadlines.
The Minister for Workplace Safety, Jill Hennessy urged employers and workers to take time, take care and stay safe at work in the lead up to the holiday break.
“Employers are responsible for the health and safety of their workers and must not risk their employees’ safety to meet deadlines,” Ms Hennessy said.
“Two people died as a result of workplace incidents in the November/December period in 2018, and statistics show the lead up to the holiday break is a dangerous time,” she said.
“Over the past decade 51 people have died as a result of workplace incidents in the final eight weeks of the year, making up almost 22 per cent of all workplace deaths.”
Ms Hennessy said there were a number of reasons why the Christmas period was dangerous across a range of industries.
“The construction sector is hard at work as builders, contractors and tradies push to complete projects before the holiday shutdown,” she said.
“In agriculture, farmers are harvesting crops and hay.”
She said the manufacturing, transport, warehouse and retail sectors were also busy finalising last-minute orders.
“One workplace fatality is one too many,” Ms Hennessy said.
