The State Government is warning farmers and earthmoving contractors to take greater care around dry dams, following two serious incidents in April, including a fatality.
Victoria has around 450,000 dams, many of which are on farms and private properties.
Dry conditions have had a significant impact on some dams, with the soil prone to collapse, particularly when digging or using machinery.
Workplace Safety Minister Jill Hennessy said 11 Victorians had died in workplace incidents, this year.
"We need employers and workers to take safety seriously so more families don't have to experience the heartbreak of losing a loved one," Ms Hennessy said.
"Safety around dams is so important, even surfaces that look hard can be soft underneath and may give way under the weight of machinery, causing it to tip or roll."
WorkSafe Health and Safety executive director Julie Nielsen said dry periods were often used to carry out maintenance and repairs, on dams.
"But farmers and contractors still need to consider safety before they commence work - even much-needed rain won't reduce the risk," Ms Nielsen said.
"The fact that farmers and contractors often work alone in areas that have poor mobile phone coverage compounds this risk."
A man in his 20s died last month when he became buried at the base of a dry dam at am East Gippsland property.
It's believed he was excavating a trench at the base of the dam when it collapsed.
In another incident a farmer in his 70s was injured after his tractor rolled while he was working on a dam at Mt Moriac on Saturday.
To reduce the risks associated with working around dry dams, farmers and contractors should:
. Inspect the environment and identify unstable ground before commencing work
. Only use equipment they are competent with and only use it within its operating range
. Avoid driving machinery over slopes and embankments to reduce the risk of a roll over
. Ensure a hard stand area for excavators is stable and not undermined by vermin
. Seek assistance when recovering bogged equipment and/or animals
. Ensure they have access to a means of communication, either a phone or radio
. Avoid working alone, and have others check in on them.
Dry dams are as dangerous as trenches and the risk of collapse must be considered when they are being dug out.
