Work-related fatalities
Work-related fatalities
The number of work-related deaths in Australia decreased overall between 2003 and 2013.
Safe Work
Australia
External Link
compiles statistics on work-related injuries and deaths in Australia. These statistics come from a range of sources, including files from the coroner’s office, workers’ compensation data and the media.
Deaths caused by diseases, natural causes and suicide are not included in these statistics.
Number of deaths
In 2013, 196 Australians lost their lives in work-related accidents. Of these, 180 were men and 16 were women. This equates to 1.70 deaths for every 100,000 workers.
The most dangerous industries
Some industries are more dangerous than others. The number of deaths and death rates per 100,000 workers for the most dangerous industries is outlined in the table below.
Industry
Number of deaths
Percentage of deaths
Deaths per 100,000 workers
Agriculture, forestry & fishing
49
25 %
16.33
Transport, postal & warehousing
45
23 %
7.59
Arts & recreation services
7
4%
3.37
Mining
8
4%
3.00
Electricity, gas, water & waste services
4
2%
2.72
Construction
22
11%
2.18
Source: Safe Work Australia, 2015
The most dangerous occupations
Some occupations are more dangerous than others. The average annual death rate per 100,000 workers was:
Machinery operators and drivers
– 8.12 deaths
Labourers
– 3.55 deaths
Managers
– 1.99 deaths
Technicians and trades workers
– 1.68 deaths
Community and personal service workers
– 1.23 deaths
Sales workers
– 0.56 deaths
Professionals
– 0.47 deaths
Clerical and administrative workers
– 0.06 deaths.
Common causes of death
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
being assaulted by one or more people.
Where to get help
Occupational Health and Safety Officer in your workplace
Worksafe
Victoria
External Link
Tel.
1800 136 089
Victorian Trades Hall Council (OH.& S
Unit)
External Link
National Association for Loss & Grief
(NALAG)
External Link
Tel.
(02) 6882 9222