Education: The Key to Workplace Safety

admin • June 24, 2025

At BeSafe Victoria, we live, eat and breathe safety education. Why? Because we believe it is the key to workplace safety.


We see and hear the on-the-ground OHS stories from our participants on a daily basis, both during training and while providing follow-up support. It is remarkable to see the transformation that occurs during a training course, as participants grow their safety knowledge and become empowered to influence their own safety and that of their workplace.


In regional Victoria, it is not uncommon for OHS Literacy to be very low. This is not in all workplaces, but certainly our experience shows that many workers have received very little or no training in OHS. By gaining an understanding of OHS, we can empower individuals to keep themselves safe. This includes in understanding their rights, recognising hazards, mitigating risks and knowing when to say no to unsafe work.


Training an individual also means that they can bring this new knowledge to their workplace, leading to positive improvements in safety outcomes for their colleagues. Safety training has broader implications too – it can inspire conversations with family and friends, creating a ‘ripple effect’ of improved safety awareness in the community.


We often see participants who deeply care about safety and have put their hand up to become a Health and Safety Representative (HSR) in their workplace. These participants come in with the drive and walk out with the tools and the passion they need to make a really tangible difference in their workplace. We know of many stories of trained HSR’s who go on to transform the safety of their workplaces.


Whether we are duty holders, supervisors, HSR’s, or employees – we all have a role to play in the safety of our workplace – and with the right knowledge, we can make a positive contribution.



What truly underpins a safe work environment? The answer lies in education.

List of Victoria's Biggest OHS Offenders

By admin • July 14, 2025
An updated list has been published of The ‘BIGGEST BIGGEST OFFENDERS’ in OHS Crimes . This list names and shames the companies which have been deemed worthy of the largest fines handed down by judges for offences under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 . It makes an interesting, albeit sobering, read. The list (see below) has been compiled and published by the OHSIntros BLOG and has recently been updated with offenders from the last 2 years. In the last 35 years, according to OHSIntros ’ records, there have been 31 cases which have incurred a fine over $500,000. These companies have been collectively responsible for the deaths of 23 workers and a number of other serious incidents. 21 of these incidents involved plant, thus representing the majority of the cases. The incidents are all horrific, with many involving crushing, entrapment and falls – leading to violent deaths and horrendous injuries. The top fine was a penalty of $3 million, as a result of LH Holdings Management Pty Ltd being charged under Workplace Manslaughter Legislation and fined in 2024. A number of high-profile cases can be seen on this list. However, there are many well known cases which are not featured here, due to the fact that their sentences did not hit the $500K threshold. This perhaps raises concerns relating to The Sentencing of OHS Offences in Victoria . The list is a sobering one, listing a series of gruesome and tragic deaths – the result of safety crimes. In the words of OHSIntros’ – these are “the worst of crimes because [they] could have been prevented.” Image sourced from OHSIntros BLOG: https://www.facebook.com/100064446622188/posts/1127076076117269/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v *OHS Intros is a Workplace Safety page which provides ‘training, documentation and advice on Workplace Safety’: Facebook

Racing Industry Workplace Fatalities

By admin • July 8, 2025
In recent times we have seen the tragic deaths of workers in the horse racing industry. In May 2025, Fiona Ralph tragically died following a head injury sustained while working at Bendigo Racecourse. Less than 2 months later, on the 3 rd July 2025, we heard news of Peta Tait, a 43-year-old worker who was killed at Cranbourne Racecourse. It is believed that she was kicked in the head by a horse while in the stable. She was attended to by medical personnel, who were unable to save her. Jockey Blake Shinn has reportedly paid tribute, stating that “This is a painful reminder of the dangers that come with working in such a demanding and unpredictable environment.” (7 news) As the jockey highlights the dangers – we turn our minds to the unique hazards presented by the industry, many of which are covered in the WorkSafe Victoria Guidebook – Horse Stable and track riding safety: Horse stables and track riding safety | WorkSafe Victoria . The guide is intended to provide information for those working in the industry and outlines how to identify hazards and implement risk control measures. As in all industries, the employer is responsible for providing a safe workplace, and the usual obligations to consult with the workforce and to control hazards in line with the hierarchy of control all apply. There is a section which specifically covers the safety of stables. Of course, horses are strong and unpredictable, and they pose a specific hazard in this industry - and one which cannot be eliminated as part of this particular workplace. The document discusses the need for training and supervision, which is required in all workplaces. Also, the use of PPE as a control measure, indicating that the use of appropriate footwear, helmets and body protection may be required to ensure the safety of those riding, training, feeding and working with horses and cleaning stables. Working alone can also increase the risks of working around horses. According to SafeWork NSW ‘One worker is hospitalised each day in Australia due to a horse related injury’ . Not all of these are workers; however, it does highlight how dangerous working around horses can be. WorkSafe Victoria reports injury claims attributable to horse racing at: Injury hotspots - Horse racing | WorkSafe Victoria . While the racing community must, of course, grieve the recent loss of two of its’ workers, there will concurrently be a WorkSafe investigation and a Victoria Police investigation for the Coroner. No matter the outcome of these investigations, it is an opportunity to look to industry work practices and identify any improvements which could be made to improve safety in the future. The gravity of such an event cannot be underestimated in its’ impact to family, friends and workmates. One can only hope that an improvement in future safety may be one of those impacts. Our sincere condolences to the families of Fiona and Peta.