The Christmas Rush
admin • December 15, 2025
The Christmas rush is a notorious time for safety.
Statistics from WorkSafe Victoria and Safe Work Australia show that the lead-up to Christmas is a time of increased risk in the workplace, with more incidents occurring during this time and resulting in injuries and deaths. There are hundreds of incidents reported during the holiday period each year and no doubt, there are many more which go unreported.
Incident Trends During the Festive Season:
These incidents relate to an increase in:
- Manual handling injuries
- Slip, trip, and falls
- Heat stress and dehydration
- Alcohol and workplace events
- Psychological stress
We know that there is greater risk associated with the festive season and therefore we must implement controls to reduce the risk to workers at this time.
For example, your workplace may need to think about:
- Reassessing staffing levels and workload management
- Increasing hazard inspections
- Reviewing emergency preparedness
- Providing added mental health support
- Reducing workload and addressing fatigue related risks
- Reviewing policies related to work events and social activities
- Mitigating summer weather related risks
- Re-iterate safety protocols and consult with employees in relation to safety risks at this time
Very often, it is the rush before Christmas which increases the risk to workers’ safety. It is important to reassess targets for work at this time - rushing to get projects completed before the Christmas shut-down is a huge added risk to health and safety. Targets can seem important, but nothing is more important than getting home to your family for Christmas.
BeSafe recently had the privilege of attending the unveiling of the Memorial Quilt at Melbourne Trades Hall; a deeply moving tribute to those who have lost their lives at work. Handcrafted by grieving families, the quilt features 45 individual squares. Each square was carefully sewn by hand to honour a loved one who never came home due to a preventable workplace fatality. Behind every stitch is a personal story, a family forever changed, and a stark reminder that workplace health and safety is about far more than compliance and checklists: it is about protecting human lives. The unveiling ceremony featured powerful addresses from four speakers who shared their personal experiences and insights into the ongoing impact of workplace tragedy. Attendees heard fr o m Bette Phillips-Campbell , the founder of GriefWork, alongside Victorian Trades Hall Council Assistant Secretary Wil Stracke , Workplace Safety Advocate Dr Lana Cormie , and Alannah McGregor, founder of the Suicide Prevention and Awareness Network (SPAN), who spoke courageously about the devastating loss of her children. Their words underscor ed the vital need for both preventative safety measures and ongoing support for families left behind. The Memorial Quilt project originally began through the Uniting Church’s Work-Related Grief Support Program. This vital program was one of the earliest initiatives of what is now known as GriefWork, currently the only specialist bereavement support service in Australia dedicated exclusively to families affected by work-related fatalities. Before finding its home at Melbourne Trades Hall, the quilt travelled across Australia to raise public awareness about workplace injuries and deaths, sparking important conversations about safety. Today, the Memorial Quilt hangs proudly in the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training room at Melbourne Trades Hall. Its' placement could not be more fitting. Every time workers, health and safety representatives, and trainees attend this room, the quilt will stand as a powerful visual reminder of why safe workplaces matter, and the true human cost when workplace safety falls short. At BeSafe, we remain committed to helping Victorians build safer working environments so that every worker returns home safely at the end of the day. Read more: https://www.ohsrep.org.au/memorial_quilt_unveiling_sn_828 https://www.unitingvictas.org.au/services/mental-health/griefwork/
The VTHC HSR Conference 2026 was a resounding success - bringing Health and Safety Representatives together to learn, to network and to strengthen safety leadership across Victorian workplaces. The 2026 Theme was “Extreme Weather, Extreme Risk”, with HSRs learning about the OHS challenges posed by extreme and changing weather. This year’s statewide conference focused on how extreme weather is reshaping workplace health and safety, the new risks workers face, and how HSRs can use their powers to prevent harm. Over one thousand HSRs attended the conference, both at the central location in Melbourne and at satellite sites around the state - hosted in Ballarat, Wangaratta, Bendigo and Morwell. For regional HSRs, the satellite events were more than a convenience - they allowed for equitable access to safety training. Travelling to Melbourne can be costly and time‑consuming, and satellite conferences ensure geography is no barrier to participation. The opportunity to attend a more local event also supported strong regional networking, helping HSRs connect with peers facing similar local industry challenges. At BeSafe Victoria, we were thrilled to receive 76 registrations for the Ballarat event. The hall was full - with all the attendees bringing their passion and commitment to safety. There were HSRs from across all types of workplaces, with the following industries represented: Agriculture, forestry and fishing, Mining, Manufacturing, Electricity, gas, water and waste services, Construction, Wholesale trade and retail trade, Accommodation and food services, Transport, postal and warehousing, Professional, scientific and technical services, Administrative and support services, Public administration and safety, Education and training, Healthcare and social assistance, Arts and recreation services. We loved seeing many familiar faces, as well as meeting many new HSRs and safety advocates. We were also pleased to welcome representatives from WorkSafe Victoria, including those who gave a presentation and answered questions from the HSRs. Highlights From the 2026 Program The statewide program featured a strong lineup of speakers and expert-led sessions, which were streamed to satellite locations: Uncle Bill Nicholson, Wurundjeri Elder Danae Bosler, Assistant Secretary, Victorian Trades Hall Council The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for WorkSafe Cathy Henderson, CEO, WorkSafe Victoria Combined presentations with Dr Andrew Ireland and HSRs Chloe and Jake Alex Bourjaili, General Manager Service Incolink Dr Andrew Watkins, exploring climate science and workplace risk and HSRs Mary and Dimity Following the presentations, HSRs had the opportunity to discuss extreme weather and the ramifications in their own workplaces through local breakout sessions. This year’s topic was certainly relevant to all workplaces, but had particular issues pertaining to regional workers, with unique challenged faced due tot eh location of workplaces and also their homes. This year’s topic was broadly applicable across all workplaces, yet it raised several issues that were particularly significant for regional workers, who face unique challenges due to the location of their workplaces and homes. Many HSRs left with OHS issues to discuss back at their workplaces – empowered with the knowledge to do what HSRs do best – represent their workmates and be safety champions in their workplace. Thank you to all who supported the regional satellite conference locations! We can’t wait to do it all again next year!