WorkSafe Victoria releases data showing jobs and regions with most workplace deaths in 2021

Across Victoria there were 66 people killed on the job as WorkSafe reveals the deadliest regions for workplace fatalities during 2021.

There were 66 lives lost at Victorian workplaces in 2021 with 14 people killed from diseases contracted while on the job, WorkSafe has revealed.

The vehicle and machinery industries recorded some of the highest deaths, with 21 across the state, while metropolitan Melbourne had the highest fatality rate with 40 lives lost, down from 43 the year before.

The deadliest LGAs included Cardinia, Frankston and Kingston LGAs with 10 people dying from workplace incidents.

Inner Metro, including the Melbourne CBD, saw seven people die from a work incident, an increase of three deaths from 2020.

There were 26 deaths in regional Victoria, down from 30 the year before.

Barwon South was the deadliest regional region with nine deaths.

There were six people killed at workplaces in Gippsland, five in Wodonga, three in Loddon Mallee, and two in the Grampians.

People aged between 45-54 was the group with the most deaths with 14.

Thirteen people aged between 55 and 66 died, while 10 people died who were aged between 65-74.

Horror but non-fatal injuries included a man in Geelong who suffered burns to his upper body after the machinery he was using caught fire.

In another incident, two men were shocked by powerlines after their farm machinery ran into them in Shepparton.

One man had to be flown to the Alfred Hospital while the other was in a critical condition.

It happened within 18 days of two other electrical workplace incidents.

CEO Colin Radford said no one was safe from the consequences of a death at work.

“Hundreds of Victorians have just spent their first festive season without a loved one by their side because of a workplace death,” he said.

“We need every workplace to take the time to properly assess their health and safety risks and plan how to eliminate or manage them, because failing to do so can lead to tragedy.”

In terms of workplace claims, last year saw an increase by almost 1000 in metropolitan Melbourne and more than 200 in regional Victoria.