City of Melbourne pays $2.63 million in WorkCover premiums for 17 claims in 2020-21

The City of Melbourne has paid out big bucks in WorkCover premiums for 17 claims in the past year.

The council paid $2.63 million in WorkCover premiums for 17 claims in 2020-21.

Trips, slips and assaults were among dozens of injuries suffered by City of Melbourne employees last year, council data shows.

The council paid $2.63 million in WorkCover premiums for 17 claims in 2020-21, while six claims were rejected.

A total 43 incidents were reported last year, including 16 for slips, trips and falls, says the council’s latest annual report.

Seven claims involved movement/static posture, five related to work pressure, four involved employees hitting an object with a body part, and three workers were hit by an object.

Three incidents involved vehicles and two employees reported verbal or physical assaults.

Ratepayers have paid over $9 million in WorkCover premiums for 93 claims over the last five years, the report said.

It said there were no fatalities or occupational diseases in 2019–20.

“We have a proactive injury prevention strategy and an early intervention approach to all work-related injuries and illnesses that focuses on sustainable return-to-work programs,” the report said.

With staff working from home for much of the year due to shutdowns, the 17 WorkCover claims processed were down on previous years.

There were 19 claims concluded in 2018-19, 31 in 2017-18, 29 in 2016-17 and 28 in 2015-16.

A City of Melbourne spokeswoman said the WorkCover premiums in the report are different to the amount paid out to workers for claims.

“The premium is calculated by WorkSafe and is based on City of Melbourne’s total remuneration, applicable industry rates and performance,” she said.

The spokeswoman said many factors contributed to a reduction in WorkCover claims over the past year

“This year, as the majority of our workforce worked from home during the pandemic, our focus has been to ensure a safe remote working environment by providing education on correct desk set-up and access to equipment such as desk chairs and monitors,” she said.

“We continue to focus on initiatives to prevent workplace injuries both at home and on site, and have a proactive early intervention program for injured employees to minimise the impact of any injuries that do occur.”