New findings reveal vehicle accidents top mechanism of workplace deaths so far this year
Preliminary data from SafeWork Australia has revealed that a total of 108 people have been killed this year at work as of October 10.
In its online dashboard on the preliminary data, SafeWork revealed that the majority of the deaths this year have been from the transport, postal, and warehousing sector, with 31 recorded fatalities.
This is followed by the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry, with 28 deaths.
As per the dashboard, other industries that recorded fatalities as of October 10 include:
- Construction (17)
- Mining (9)
- Manufacturing (6)
- Public administration and safety (6)
- Electricity, gas, water, and waste services (3)
- Wholesale trade (1)
- Administrative and support services (1)
- Arts and recreation services (1)
- Education and training (1)
- Retail trade (1)
- Unknown (3)
The figures are slightly closing in on the total of 200 workers killed at work in 2023, and on the five-year average of workplace fatalities of 191.
Mechanisms of workplace fatalities
Meanwhile, the preliminary findings also revealed that the most common reason for workplace deaths in Australia is vehicle accidents, with 41 deaths.
Coming after that is being hit by moving objects (10), falling from a height (9), and being hit by falling objects (8). Other reasons for workplace deaths as of October 10 include:
- Being trapped by moving machinery or equipment (4)
- Being trapped between stationary and moving objects (5)
- Contact with electricity (5)
- Rollover (3)
- Drowning/immersion (4)
- Being assaulted by a person or persons (2)
- Slide or cave-in (1)
- Being hit by an animal (1)
- Explosion (1)
- Single contact with a chemical or substance (1)
- Hitting moving objects (1)
- Exposure to other and unspecified environmental factors (1)
- Unspecified mechanisms of the incident (11)
National Safe Work Month in Australia
The findings come as Australia marks its National Safe Work Month in October, with the theme of "safety is everyone's business."
"This October, prioritise work health and safety, by making it your business," SafeWork said in a media release.
"Making safety a priority and taking action to ensure your workplace is free of physical and psychological harm helps to keep workers safe. Every worker, across all industries and occupations, deserves to come home safe."
