WorkSafe Victoria has announced a major push to reduce workplace harm across five industries that together, account for nearly 60% of deaths and injury claims over the past five years.
The priority sectors are:
- Healthcare & social assistance
- Construction
- Government and infrastructure
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing
With the new targets of 30% reduction in fatalities and a 20% reduction in injuries over the next five years, WorkSafe will be increasing inspections, education, and enforcement. They’ve also made it clear they won’t hesitate to use every tool available, from improvement notices through to criminal charges for serious breaches.
For businesses in these sectors, the message is simple: act now to get your safety systems in order.
Healthcare & Social Assistance
Hospitals, aged care facilities and other healthcare environments often rely on frequent deliveries of equipment, linen, food and medical supplies. Loading docks are high-risk areas where staff are exposed to slips, trips, vehicle movement and manual handling injuries.
The Dock-PRO™ has been developed to make these spaces safer by creating secure, well-controlled loading zones. It reduces the chance of misaligned vehicles, prevents falls from dock edges, and helps staff move trolleys and goods with less strain.
For healthcare providers, it means fewer injuries, smoother operations, and a stronger focus on patient care instead of workplace incidents.

Construction
Construction sites are some of the most dynamic and high-risk environments, with hazards ranging from mobile plant movements to collisions with structures or equipment. Vehicles, forklifts and heavy machinery operating in close quarters often pose serious risks to both workers and infrastructure.
Guard-PRO™ is an advanced crash barrier system designed to prevent vehicles from veering off course and striking people, assets or critical structures. Built for strength and durability, it can be installed in a wide variety of settings, from warehouse aisles and dock areas to construction zones with curves, slopes and other vulnerable points.
For builders and contractors, Guard-PRO™ provides peace of mind that both workers and assets are protected from costly and potentially fatal impact incidents.

Government & Infrastructure
Large public works and infrastructure projects face a unique mix of challenges: mobile plant movement, restricted access zones, and the need to protect both workers and the public from harm.
Without clear separation, the risk of collisions or unauthorised entry into high-risk areas increases sharply. Eco-Rail™ addresses these issues by providing a handrail system that stops personnel from wandering into a potential safety risk.
It ensures a safe divide between hazardous work areas and surrounding spaces, reducing the chance of accidents. For government bodies and contractors, Eco-Rail™ is a straightforward way to strengthen compliance, maintain productivity and deliver safer public projects.

Agriculture
Agricultural and food processing facilities are busy environments where pallets, stillages and bulk loads are constantly being moved, stacked and stored. Without the right protection in place, these areas pose serious risks to both staff and infrastructure, from manual handling injuries to vehicle and pallet impact incidents.
The Verge Hy-Wall Barrier range is designed specifically to address these hazards. With options including Hy-Wall™ Rail, Hy-Wall Mesh and Impact Polymer Hy-Wall Rail, there’s a solution for every application. These barriers allow pallets and stock to be safely stacked close to pedestrian walkways without compromising protection for workers.
Available in a variety of heights or built to custom requirements, the modular design ensures efficient use of floor space and simple installation. Manufactured and quality-checked here in Australia, Hy-Wall™is a proven way to reduce impact risks and keep agricultural operations safe, productive and compliant with WorkSafe standards.

Manufacturing
In manufacturing plants, hazards come from every direction: mobile plant safety issues, pedestrian-vehicle interactions, and contact with dangerous machinery. Workers often share space with forklifts, pallet movers and automated equipment, making clear separation essential.
Verge’s suite of solutions like Mesh Guard, Impact Barriers and Pedestrian Gates can directly tackle these hazards. Mesh Guard prevents contact with moving machine parts, Impact Barriers protect workers and infrastructure from vehicle collisions, and Pedestrian Gates control safe access points for staff.
Together, these systems reduce the chance of serious incidents, support compliance with WorkSafe standards, and keep production running without disruption.

Don’t Wait for a Notice
WorkSafe’s campaign is about accountability, and inspectors will be out visiting these industries in the months ahead. Waiting until you’ve been issued with a notice means you’re already on the back foot.
By acting now, you not only stay compliant but also protect your people, reduce downtime, and safeguard your reputation. Review our case studies, and see how we have solved workplace safety issues for a variety of industries.






Where Can We Help
Wherever there is an interaction of vehicles and people a Verge Safety Barrier should be installed. This may include facilities such as:
- Freight Terminals
- Warehouses
- Production areas
- Shopping centre car parks
- Loading docks
- Hospitals
- Food and wine industries
If your business operates in one of these sectors, now is the time to talk to us. We can walk you through practical, proven solutions that make a real difference to safety on the ground. Call our team on 1800765539