The incidence of worker fatalities across Australia has continued its trend decline over the past decade, with the number of deaths attributed to workplace incidents falling to 13 in WA and 144 nationally.
The incidence of worker fatalities across Australia has continued its trend decline over the past decade, with the number of deaths attributed to workplace incidents falling to 13 in WA and 144 nationally.
Annual data from Safe Work Australia released on Monday showed work-related fatalities in WA decreased from 20 in 2017 to 13 in 2018 and national fatalities similarly decreased from 190 to 144.
Nationwide, work-related deaths have decreased 62 per cent since 2007.
Safe Work Australia chief executive Michelle Baxter said while these trends were encouraging, they were not cause for celebration.
“Every work-related fatality is a tragedy, and there’s a lot more work to be done,” Ms Baxter said.
“We know that work-related fatalities, injuries and disease have a devastating impact on workers and their families.
“Understanding the latest statistics can help identify ways to prevent these.”
The agriculture, forestry and fishing industry had the highest rate of worker fatalities (11.2 deaths per 100,000 workers) followed by transport, postal and warehousing (5.9 per 100,000 workers) and mining (3.7 per 100,000 workers).
Machine operators and drivers have the most dangerous jobs, with 6.2 fatalities per 100,000 workers.
The most common causes for workplace fatalities included vehicle collision (31 per cent), being hit by moving objects (17 per cent) and falls from a height (13 per cent).
While work-related deaths are decreasing, the state government has announced plans for tough new penalties.
The state government introduced a Bill in August which, if passed, could mean business people could face up to 20 years in prison and their company fined up to $10 million.
The legislation, which would bring WA in line with other states, includes two new offences: industrial manslaughter class one which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ in prison for the person conducting business, and class two which has a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment for negligent behaviour.
Companies or body corporates could be charged up to $10 million.
Industry Groups, including the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA, oppose the industrial manslaughter laws and believe tougher penalties won't reduce fatalities.
Safe Work Australia also compiled data on worker’s compensation claims from each state and territory and found a total of 107,335 claims were made nationally for work-related injury and disease.
Body stressing, health issues from repetitive and strenuous tasks, caused 36 per cent of injury, 23 per cent was caused by falls, trips or slips and 16 per cent was due to being hit by a moving object.
Serious injury claims were also high in agriculture, forestry and fishing, manufacturing and transport, postal and warehousing.
Labourers made the most number of serious claims, with 16.8 per million hours worked, followed by community and personal service workers who made 11.1 claims per million hours worked.
