Industrial Relations Minister Cameron Dick recently emphasized the importance of workplace safety, highlighting the statistic that 82 Queenslanders are absent from work each day due to workplace injuries and illness. According to a report from SafetyInAustralia, Dick was raising awareness about workplace injuries, illness and deaths as part of this year's Safe Work Australia Week, running until Oct. 31, 2009. "Every year about 100 Queenslanders die and 30,000 suffer serious injuries or work-related diseases," Dick said. "That means that on average, 82 Queensland workers are absent from their workplace on any given day because of a serious work-related injury or illness. A serious injury or illness is one that results in a worker being absent from their workplace for five or more days. The financial cost of these absences has been estimated at more than $5.2 billion a year but even worse is the incalculable cost in human suffering resulting from this death and injury toll." Dick noted government officials are working with employers and workers to build a positive zero-harm safety culture in all Queensland workplaces to reduce the number and severity of workplace incidents. "Ensuring our businesses are as safe and productive as possible will also secure Queensland jobs and keep the economy strong," he said. "Safety often presents the most immediate risk, but the long-term health of workers is no less important. Both health and safety need to be part of an integrated risk management system in every workplace. Managing lifestyle issues such as obesity, heavy drinking, smoking and unsafe sun exposure can lead to safer and healthier workers and workplaces." (workersxzcompxzkit) For some simple ideas on how to get involved in Safe Work Australia Week, visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au
Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers' Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: [email protected] or 860-786-8286.
Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker about workers' comp issues.
