Vic safety regulator delivers new grants to boost workplace safety

WorkSafe Victoria has awarded grants totalling $2.47 million to a range of projects to reduce workplace harm and improve outcomes for injured workers, following the 2021–22 funding round. WorkSafe Chief Executive Officer Colin Radford said each of the nine projects was chosen for its focus on prevention, promotion of knowledge and confidence, and community value.

“We are delighted to be able to provide funding for these innovative projects that reflect our values and will prevent harm in workplaces across Victoria. From using wearable technology devices to identify injury risk factors, to developing programs to reduce psychosocial harm, these groundbreaking initiatives will make a lasting difference to the lives of Victorian workers and their families,” Radford said.

The organisations to receive WorkSafe grants include the Australian Services Union (ASU), to develop a cultural change model and training program to prevent and address psychosocial harm in the local government and community services industries. Boroondara City Council also received funding to assess and address role-specific musculoskeletal injury risk factors for field-based workers through wearable technology devices and data analysis, while La Trobe University (Rural Health School) was selected for its project to develop intervention strategies to reduce OHS risks associated with shift work, reduce workplace fatigue, and improve health and wellbeing in rural healthcare workers. La Trobe University’s School of Psychology and Public Health also received funding to develop an education package for the management of psychosocial hazards in the transport industry.

WorkSafe allocated funding to Lort Smith to develop and deliver a tailored program to reduce and prevent mental injury in the veterinarian industry, which has unique adverse psychosocial working conditions. Mactown Consulting was also among the recipients of WorkSafe’s funding, to develop a quarry safety management system for small employers in the mining industry, who typically don’t have access to tailored OHS resources. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) will use its funding to work with key industry stakeholders to deliver guidance to clarify ambiguous or contentious OHS risk management issues on rail construction projects.

Veg Education and Yooralla have also received funding, to develop and deliver a purpose-designed interactive training program for the horticulture sector and to partner with disability service providers for a systematic review of hoist practices in the social assistance industry to improve risk management and guide industry standards, respectively.

WorkSafe’s grants program aims to support workplace and community solutions that will make the biggest difference and have the greatest impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of Victorian workers. The 2022–23 funding round will be announced on the WorkSafe website in the coming months.

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