THERE were almost 200 worksite accidents in Melton and Moorabool in the past four years, new data reveals.
Latest WorkSafe statistics on injury claims show there were 118 construction site accidents in Melton and 72 in Moorabool from 2008-12.
WorkSafe senior construction advisor Tony Cockerill said it was difficult to gauge if the number was high compared to other areas.
“It depends on the amount of building activity [in one area]. Any claim is too high,” he said.
‘Poor housekeeping’ on site was a major factor in 60 per cent of all injuries.
“A lot are from trips and falls, poor lifting and poor supervision,” Mr Cockerill said.
With 10 tradies injured badly enough to make a compensation claim each day, Mr Cockerill believed there had been a cultural shift away from worksite pranks on apprentices.
“Society is changing [but] there are isolated situations with cases of bullying and initiation.”
Western suburbs lawyer Kofi Osei, a senior solicitor with Shine Lawyers, said he had been flooded with WorkCover claims, many from migrants who were too afraid to report their injuries. “A lot of these people are working in industrial, construction and machinery industries where the risk of injury is far higher.”
Mr Osei said one client had refused to lodge a compensation claim after having his fingers amputated following a workplace accident for fear of losing his job.
“These injuries affect a person’s emotional well-being and put added financial stress on families trying to pay mortgages.
“People can lose their homes and relationships can be under extreme stress.”
