Former Cats captain Cameron Ling will drop into Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium to promote safe and healthy workplaces during a free WorkSafe event.
WorkSafe will host its Geelong Health and Safety Month event on Friday, October 25, from 7am to 12.30pm with talks on mentally healthy workplaces, supporting injured workers and the value of consultation.
Mr Ling will host the Geelong event and said there is always more to learn regarding health and safety.
“Football demands focus and strategy, but safety is key. Every play on the field is about avoiding serious injury and staying in the game,” he said.
“Staying current on workplace health and safety knowledge through sessions like this is as critical as knowing the next play. Protecting yourself on the job means you can keep doing what you love.”
WorkSafe Inspectors will address local issues, take audience questions and provide tips on preventing workplace harm, with breakfast and lunch bookending the event.
There will also be a discussion on psychosocial risks, returning to work after an injury, and a session on the importance of health and safety representatives in the workplace.
There were two work-related fatalities and 1251 injury claims, including 208 mental injury claims, accepted by WorkSafe in the Geelong area during the 2023-24 financial year, according to WorkSafe data.
Health care and social assistance had the highest number of injury claims in Geelong during the 2023-24 period, with 252.
Construction had the second-highest number of injury claims in Geelong, with 185, followed by public administration and safety, with 134 injury claims.
The musculoskeletal system was the most common injury reported, with 380 claims, followed by traumatic tendon, muscle and ligament injuries with 210 claims and mental injuries with 207 claims.
Body stressing was the most common cause of injury, with 424 claims filed to WorkSafe, followed by 288 claims regarding falls, slips and trips and 242 claims of being hit by moving objects.
Visit worksafe.vic.gov.au/events/hs-month-2024-geelong to register for the event and for more information.
