Victorian workplace deaths span more than half of all industries

Workers who died included labourers, truck drivers, farmers and farm hands, electricians, carpenters, firefighters, traffic controllers, teachers and delivery drivers.

WorkSafe Executive Director Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said the toll showed that tragedy could strike any workplace, making continued vigilance essential for employers and workers. "Victoria is among the safest places to work in the world but it is simply unacceptable lives are still being lost in what are entirely preventable workplace incidents," Mr Jenkin said.

The 2024 toll included 18 workers who died after traumatic workplace incidents and 12 who were killed in traffic collisions. Another 17 people died from diseases contracted during their employment, two workers died from work-related medical complications, and one worker died as a result of a criminal offence.

Mr Jenkin said more than 25,500 workers also had compensation claims accepted in 2024 for injuries serious enough to qualify. He said recurring harm from the same hazards in the same industries had prompted WorkSafe to set ambitious targets to challenge the status quo.

"We are asking for the support and buy-in of the entire Victorian community – only together can we create safer workplaces that last for generations to come," he said.

The number of workplace deaths in 2024 was lower than the 2023 toll, which now stands at 73.

WorkSafe’s investigations into workplace deaths resulted in 12 successful prosecutions in 2024, including Victoria’s first conviction under its workplace manslaughter laws. Courts imposed $4.76 million in fines and costs.

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