Barwon South West has recorded the highest number of accepting work-related injury claims of any regional area in 2024, as WorkSafe launches a new campaign.
The ‘Don’t cross the line’ iniative encourages the community to consider the toll of aggression on workers who are regularly confronted by yelling, swearing and violence at work.
60 claims related to potential workplace violence and aggression were lodged in the local area last year, almost double the amount of claims in the next regional area of Gippsland.
WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said scenes like these played out all too often in workplaces across the state.
“We are calling on everyday people to stop and reflect on the way we all interact with workers, and challenge the belief that seemingly ‘small’ acts of aggression are harmless,” Mr Jenkin said.
“Everyone has days where things don’t go to plan, but there is simply no excuse for taking your frustrations out by yelling, swearing or intimidating workers who are just trying to do their job.”
Work-related aggression and violence can include verbal abuse, threatening gestures or body language, physical assault or even spitting.
