Five workplace deaths in four days prompt NSW safety reminder
04 Apr 2024•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
Five people have died at NSW workplaces in four days, prompting the NSW Government to remind employers and businesses about workplace safety.
The deaths follow a year in which NSW recorded approximately one workplace fatality a week in 2022.
SafeWork NSW has also received notifications of several incidents involving serious injuries. On 27 January, a construction worker suffered serious head injuries after falling around 3–4 metres from a scaffold in Eastwood.
Business owners must make sure workers receive proper training and instruction to carry out their jobs safely, particularly when working at heights, with electricity or around moving plant and machinery.
Workers can raise workplace health and safety concerns anonymously by calling SafeWork on 13 10 50 or using the Speak Up Save Lives app.
SafeWork has developed a toolkit to help business owners promote effective work health and safety. Its website also provides information on electrical work, forklifts, farm safety and working at heights in construction.
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis expressed her condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who died. She said employees returning after a break should feel they can be safe at work.
The minister also said businesses must ensure employees work safely and described the deaths as a tragic reminder to keep workplace safety equipment and compliance up to date as February approaches.
How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your business’s approach to workplace health and safety and identify areas that may need attention. Take the free WHS self-check