Workplace warning for deadly time of year
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MELBOURNE, Nov 21 AAP
November 21 2012, 1:38PM
November and December are the deadliest times of the year in Victoria's workplaces, with seven deaths coming in a 12-day period in 2011, WorkSafe has warned.
The state's work safety watchdog said the rush to finish jobs before the Christmas break often led to shortcuts that could prove fatal.
Twenty-six workers have died during November and December over the past five years.
WorkSafe health and safety director, Ian Forsyth, said he fears a repeat of the deadly end to the 2011 working year.
"Organisations rushing to finish jobs before their summer break and peak periods for the farming sector can mean that corners are cut and safety becomes less of a priority," he said.
"It can be a lethal combination and it only takes a moment's inattention for tragedy to strike."
Ahead of the frantic final weeks of 2012, Victoria is on track to record it's lowest number of fatalities in a calendar year, with 14 people dying in workplaces statewide.
Mr Forsyth said the bulk of those fatalities involved experienced workers carrying our routine tasks.
The previous record low was 18 fatalities in 2005.
