WorkSafe reveals the two most important safety tools

Poor communication between management and employees on health and safety issues is costing Victorian companies dearly, with claims for workplace injuries totalling $1.23 billion last year, WorkSafe Minister Rob Hulls said recently.

WorkSafe Victoria's latest advertising campaign calls on employers and employees to talk more about safety issues to bring down that figure.

"It's a straightforward message about sharing responsibility, and using the most important safety tools, the ears and the mouth, to identify and reduce workplace safety risks," Hulls said. "If both sides talk and listen, they can make a huge difference to Victoria's workplace safety record. Hulls said WorkSafe had prosecuted 22 companies this financial year where an employer or manager had ignored safety risks pointed out by employees or inspectors. "As a result, fines and WorkSafe's legal costs hit these companies for $443,000," Hulls said.

"On top of this were the company's own legal costs, staff replacement and training where an injury had occurred, and in some cases, increased WorkCover premiums.

"For both workers and employers, relying on luck is not good Occupational Health and Safety practice."

More than 157,000 claims for workers compensation have been made in the past five financial years. Claims arising from workplace injuries last year totalled $1.23 billion.