Things Down Under are on the upside.
Data released recently in Safe Work Australia’s latest Comparative Performance Monitoring report shows work-related compensated injury fatalities are at their lowest level since 2002.
The 16th edition of the report provides trend analysis on the work health and safety and workers’ compensation schemes operating in Australia and New Zealand.
In releasing the report, Michelle Baxter, acting CEO, Safe Work Australia recognized the progress Australia has made but noted there was still room for improvement.
“Over a decade ago Australia set a national target of reducing the incidence rate of compensated injury and musculoskeletal disorder fatalities by 20 per cent by 2012. This report shows that as a nation we not only achieved, but surpassed this target, with a 41 percent reduction in fatalities,” said Baxter.
More Work Needed to Improve Results
“While this is a good result, there were still 178 compensated injury and disease fatalities recorded in Australia for 2012–13. More work is needed to improve work health and safety and reduce this figure even further,” she added.
The report revealed that in 2012-13, 11 out of every 1,000 workers were injured seriously enough to require one week or more off work. While there has been a 26 percent improvement since 2002, the target of a 40 percent reduction in the rate of injuries by 2012 was not achieved.
To view the Comparative Performance Monitoring report or to find out more about how you can raise awareness of work health and safety at your workplace this Safe Work Australia Month visit www.swa.gov.au
Author Kori Shafer-Stack, Editor, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is an expert in post-injury response procedures and part of the Amaxx team helping companies reduce their workers compensation costs by 20% to 50%. www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com. Contact: kstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.
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