Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Victorian blitz on road side safety

Victorian road users have been too casual for too long in their attitude to the safety of road workers and too often, the results have been deadly. To address this problem, a state wide blitz is set to improve the safety of roadside workers and reduce the number of roadside deaths.

Launched last month by the Victorian Minister for Workcover, Rob Hulls, who said the Safety for Workers And Traffic campaign will make Victorian roads a safer workplace.

“Since the beginning of last year, eight people have died in work related roadside deaths and WorkSafe reports at least two serious injuries a month,” the Minister said. “Last year was the worst for work related roadside deaths in half a decade with five people tragically killed and this year three people have already tragically died.”

While construction sites and roadworks were the more obvious examples, Minister Hulls said roadside worksites encompassed hundreds of different activities.

“Mowing roadside verges, painting shop awnings, loading and unloading trucks are all examples of roadside worksites where workers and the public may be put at risk by unsafe work practices,” Minister Hulls said.

WorkSafe inspectors will play a key role in the safety campaign by checking for safety measures such as:

• traffic control measures including safety barriers and ensuring safe distances between vehicles and workers
• appropriate training for roadside workers and supervisors
• advance warning of roadside works
• sufficient hazard warnings and signage at roadside worksites
• high visibility clothing and safety gear.

During the current six month campaign, WorkSafe inspectors are blitzing roadside workplaces to ensure that all parties are aware of their safety obligations and are taking action where required.

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