It was the result of doing things incorrectly at work.

Mr Greco, who has been working as a baggage handler for Virgin Blue for five years, said he could have avoided his injuries had he prepared his body better for heavy lifting.

"I live on my own so the three months out from work were extremely difficult. I could hardly walk at the time," Mr Greco said.

"[The company] was fantastic at the time because they supported me with the injury [treatment], but I wouldn't have got hurt had I had better training."

In the past financial year, muscle and bone injuries to employees at workplaces in Hume have cost more than $60million to cover medical, wage and other expenses, WorkCover data shows.

WorkSafe Victoria strategic programs director Trevor Martin says most muscle and bone injuries can be avoided.

Mr Martin said Melbourne's employers needed to talk with their workforce to identify risks and take the necessary measures to fix them.

"Lifting a box, climbing a step ladder or navigating

a slippery surface at work might not set off alarm bells for most of us, but tasks like these cause thousands of Melbourne workers painful injuries each year," he

said.

"Some workplaces mistakenly believe that as workers will always be at risk from musculoskeletal injuries, there's no point to control the risks."