Irrespective of the size of your business or industry you work in, workplace risks exist. Businesses that adopt a proactive risk management approach will typically minimise workplace risks, injuries and claims. Regrettably accidents do occur and in tragic situations the death of a worker has impacts beyond the obvious. Fatalities in the workplace not only affect the immediate family, they also cause distress to colleagues, employers and friends. No worker nor their family should face the risk of not coming home from work. We promote it is essential all Australian workplaces take every precaution to ensure their employees return home safe at the end of every day. So what are Australia’s most dangerous industries and the common cause of fatalities?
Australia’s Most Dangerous Industries – Fatal accidents in the workplace not only affect the person involved, they also cause distress to colleagues, employers, friends and family members. No worker nor their family should face the risk of not coming home from work. Even one workplace fatality is one too many. It’s essential that Australian workplaces take every precaution to ensure that their employees return home safe and sound at the end of the day.
Industries with high rates of workplace fatalities
Accordingly to the latest Australian data available at time of writing, the Top 5 Most Dangerous Australian industries based on the highest number of work-related fatalities in FY2013-14 are:
- Transport – 46 deaths
- Agriculture – 43 deaths
- Construction – 31 deaths
- Manufacturing – 15 deaths
- Mining – 10 deaths
These industries and those of agriculture forestry and fishing all involve some form of driving of vehicles and machinery operation, accounting for the high number of fatalities. Vehicle-related incidents remain the biggest killer in Australian workplace incidents.
The construction industry came in third on the list of most dangerous jobs, followed by manufacturing, mining, arts and recreation services, wholesale trade, health and community services, public administration and safety, and finally, administrative and support services
The most common causes of work-related injuries leading to death include:
- Vehicle accidents
- Being hit by moving or falling objects
- Falling from a height
- Electricity
- A non-road vehicle rolling over
- Being trapped by moving machinery
SafeWork Australia helps develop national policies to improve work health and safety for Australians but is the responsibility of employers to provide a safe and healthy workplace for their employees.