As the festive season approaches, Victorians are being urged to put workplace safety first—because the greatest gift workers can give their families is getting home safe and well every day.
Two WorkSafe campaigns are rolling out over the holidays to reduce the risk of injury and harm at work: the new HomeSafe campaign and the return of Don’t Cross The Line.
Announcing the initiatives, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Ben Carroll said the campaigns are designed to address the heightened pressures many workers face at the end of the year.
HomeSafe focuses on preventing safety shortcuts during a period when workloads increase and deadlines tighten. Running online, across social media, digital screens and regional press, the campaign targets construction, manufacturing, transport and retail—industries that traditionally experience a spike in risk as the year draws to a close.
Retail workers, in particular, face an increased risk of aggressive behaviour during the holiday rush. That’s why WorkSafe’s Don’t Cross The Line campaign will again appear on screens, calling on the community to treat workers with respect and recognise the harm caused by yelling, swearing and hostility at work.
Employers also have a clear responsibility to manage workplace risks by setting realistic workloads, monitoring shift lengths and breaks, and taking action to prevent aggression and violence. Extra care must be taken to support new and young workers, who may be more vulnerable, by ensuring they receive proper training and supervision.
Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Ben Carroll said, “The festive season should be a time of joy, and we want Victorians making happy memories with loved ones—not dealing with the consequences of a preventable workplace tragedy.
“Shortcuts at work won’t bring the holidays closer, but they will increase the risk of someone getting hurt.”
“We’re asking people to pause and reflect on how they treat workers they interact with every day—especially when things don’t go as expected.”
Acting WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Barb Hill said, “Safety at work is not optional—no deadline or delivery target is worth putting a worker at risk. As pressure builds at the end of the year, employers must resist the rush, set realistic expectations and ensure the right systems are in place to prevent harm.”
For more information, visit worksafe.vic.gov.au/home-safe and worksafe.vic.gov.au/dontcrosstheline.
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