Victorian Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips has launched a new WorkSafe Victoria blitz targeting musculoskeletal injuries in a bid to tackle the state’s most common workplace injury.

 

"Musculoskeletal injuries are the most common workplace injury, costing nearly $1 billion a year in medical costs, wages and other expenses," Mr Rich-Phillips said.

 

"They affect the body's muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves, are easily prevented, often difficult to treat and can be long-lasting and a source of great pain.

 

"Every day 43 Victorians are seriously hurt with these injuries, with an average workers' compensation claim costing $55,000 medical costs, wages and other expenses."

 

"These injuries are largely hidden because they do not make the nightly news, but the impact on workers, their families and their employer's business can be enormous and long-lasting.

 

"Ensuring people are properly trained and supervised, use the right equipment and clean up spills to prevent falls are no-cost or low-cost measures that will reduce workplace accidents," Mr Rich-Phillips said.