Coburg’s safety under scrutiny

Workplace safety inspectors are descending on the town of Coburg on Monday 27 August for a week of heightened safety awareness.

Up to 100 businesses will be visited in the week, in the area between Sussex Street, Shorts Road, Gaffney Road and the railway line.

Sydney Road workplaces near this area will also be visited.

"By giving Coburg employers and workers notice that we are coming and what we'll be looking for, they have a chance to ensure their workplace is as safe as possible," said WorkSafe's executive director, John Merritt.

According to WorkSafe, more than 3100 work-related injuries have been reported in the City of Moreland over the past 5 years. The cost of treatment, rehabilitation and compensation of those injuries exceeds $51 million.

Merrit said that "˜Safer Work Zones' has successfully raised community awareness of workplace safety across the state, with areas where it has been run reporting reduced numbers of injuries in following years.

"WorkSafe's push to improve safety has been helped by the community getting involved, not just employers and workers, but also families who are instantly affected when something goes wrong," he said.

"Safety needs to be built into every part of the working day. It's not something that should only be on the agenda when you know WorkSafe is in the area.

"Deaths are high profile and have obvious consequences, but injuries also rob individuals and communities of capacity and potential."

The inspectors will help business operators and issue Improvement and Prohibition Notices to ensure identified safety matters are dealt with.