When Simonette Randall and Jim Taifer learned there were 66 workplace deaths in Victoria last year they felt sick.
Their families are still reeling from the death of their son, Damien Taifer, at work in May 2017.
The 21-year-old was killed when the water truck he was driving rolled down a steep hill in West Gippsland.
Damien's employer was later convicted and fined after a forensic engineer found the poor condition of the truck's brakes was the primary cause of the crash.
"I hear his screams in my head all the time, of him driving down that hill," Mrs Randall said.
"How scared was he? Did he know he was going to die?
Family forever heartbroken
Nearly five years on, Damien's death continues to affect nearly every aspect of Mrs Randall and Mr Taifer's lives.
They struggle with depression and sleep and are now both on medication.
"They say time heals all but it's something you can't forget … I keep reliving that moment," Mr Taifer said.
"For a while I'd wake up and expect Damien to ring me that morning and then I'd remember, you know.
"It's just a trauma that I've never experienced in anything else in life, we miss him so, so dearly."
For Mrs Randall, Damien's death has irrevocably changed her.
Moments that should be filled with joy – like the birth of her first grandchild – have been tinged with sadness.
"I cried my eyes out all morning because Damien wasn't here. He would have been the best uncle," she said.
Scores of families grieving
On Monday, WorkSafe confirmed 66 Victorians lost their lives either at or because of work in 2021.
The fatalities included 43 people who died in workplace incidents, 14 people who succumbed to disease contracted through work, and five people who died on the road.
A further three deaths were put down to workplace-related medical incidents and one worker was killed due to an alleged criminal act.
More than 23,000 workers were injured seriously enough to have a compensation claim accepted last year.
WorkSafe chief executive Colin Radford said failure to properly manage health and safety risks could lead to tragedy.
"Hundreds of Victorians have just spent their first festive season without a loved one by their side because of a workplace death," Mr Radford said.
"Many others are themselves dealing with the pain and suffering from serious and often life-changing injuries suffered at work."
Mr Radford said WorkSafe inspectors will continue to target high-risk sectors include manufacturing, construction, and agriculture.
"It's simply unacceptable that we are seeing the same industries feature prominently in workplace deaths and serious injuries year after year," he said.
"WorkSafe is committed to working towards a future where no one loses their life at work, including by taking strong enforcement action against those ignoring their health and safety obligations."
For Damien Taifer's parents, it is devastating that workplace trauma has left another 66 Victorian families grieving.
"I think [workplace safety] is taken all too lightly," Mr Taifer said.
They are calling on all employers to make workplace safety their number one priority.
"Is it worth a life to save a few dollars? It's not."
