National Safe Work Month urges us to “be safe”, “be healthy” and think about “because ...”

For many workers, that “dot dot dot” represents the family and loved ones waiting to welcome them home at the end of the workday. 

It’s the future they are safeguarding and the protection of everything they have to look forward to.

But for the thousands of Australians injured at work, the “dot dot dot” is a reminder that their lives will never be the same. 

And for workers injured in NSW, the “dot dot dot” represents uncertainty about whether they will be fully supported by WorkCover.

Many workers have been left out-of-pocket and without medical assistance, following the NSW government’s legislative reforms in 2012.

Since then, there have been many positive steps to restore benefits and support schemes, but more needs to be done.

I am hopeful that injured workers’ rights will be fully restored in the future, but until then, I urge workers to “Be Safe. Be Healthy” because the safety net you were counting on may not be there to catch you.

Stuart Barnett

Slater and Gordon