More than 180 staff and students were injured at Victorian universities last year, with institutions forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars in WorkCover claims as a result.

Exposure to chemicals, vehicle incidents and explosions were among the causes of injuries across the state’s tertiary campuses, with a number of other close calls also reported, a Saturday Herald Sun analysis of Victorian universities’ 2024 annual reports revealed.

Deakin University recorded the highest number of total injuries, with 116 students and staff wounded or had encountered a medical event last year.

Arnold Thomas and Becker principal Aki Munir said in the past 12 months, the law firm has been approached by almost two dozen students and staff seeking to make claims against a university.

“Some students have alleged that they have experienced abuse and/ or bullying, while others have reported falls or other injuries on campus,” she said.

“There are also a number of staff that have come forward with complaints of mental injuries caused by bullying, gendered violence and stress.”

Last year, WorkSafe inspectors conducted 145 visits and issued seven compliance notices to workplaces in the higher education sector, including 130 in response to an incident, dispute or concern for health and safety.