WorkSafe: Get Home Safe, Every Day
International Workers’ Memorial Day – April 28
April 28 is a day to remember the workers who’ve lost their lives or been seriously injured on the job – and a reminder of why safety matters, every single day.
In 2025, 14 construction workers in Victoria didn’t make it home. Six of those deaths were from falls from heights. That’s not just a stat – it’s families, workmates and communities that are impacted.
To honour those we’ve lost, the Victorian Trades Hall Council is holding a memorial service. It’s a chance to pause, pay respect, and recommit to safer worksites.
Date: Tuesday, April 28
Time: 10:30 am
Location: Argyle Square, Carlton
Falls Construction’s number 1 cause of fatalities
WorkSafe Victoria’s latest campaign is all about keeping things practical and focusing on the risks that continue to cause the most harm on construction sites.
Here’s where attention is needed:
- Falls from heights: still the biggest cause of fatalities. Download the fall prevention checklist
- Manual handling: the leading cause of injury. Download posters for your site here
- Crystalline silica: a long-term health risk that can’t be ignored – resources available
- Construction pocket guide: a simple tool to help manage safety on site. Download or request a hard copy.
WorkSafe are also running Falls basics, a free interactive webinar series with straightforward guidance on managing falls risks. Register for a session here:worksafe.vic.gov.au/construction/falls-basics
Fall prevention – don’t get caught out
Inspectors will be out on Victorian construction sites this year, checking that fall prevention measures are in place and up to standard.
That means making sure hazards are identified, controls are working, and sites meet OHS requirements. More importantly, it’s about making sure everyone on site stays safe.
A reminder that you can’t undo a fall, but you can prevent one. Use the highest order of control, or a combination of:
Level 2 – Passive prevention controls
Level 3 – Work positioning systems
Level 5 – Ladders and admin controls
Common fall hazards to keep in check:
- unprotected edges
- unsafe or incomplete scaffolds
- unsafe ladder use including using the wrong ladder
- roofs, fragile roofs and skylights
- stair voids
- truck beds or plant platforms
- holes, pits and shafts
Visit high standards for more information on fall prevention.