SafeWork Report Reveals shocking Results
Higher injury rates for casual workers
SafeWork Australia recently conducted a study which revealed that casual workers are more
likely to suffer injury at work that permanent workers. Interestingly enough females also reported
higher injury rates than males. Employers should be aware of these figures and the trends that
contribute to them in order to minimise their occurrence.
The report investigated the injuries sustained by male and female employees across various
age groups and demographics in order to identify areas in work health and safety that require
attention and improvement.
The study was carried out in 2009-2012 and an astonishing 640,000 employees reported an
injury sustained at work over this period. Male workers injuries seemed to be declining while
female workers injuries were on the increase.
Casual workers, not surprisingly were the greatest demographic that reported injuries during
that time period, indicating the need for employers to provide the correct education, training and
supervision to casual workers that they provide to other workers. The report also revealed that
shift workers are more vulnerable to injury than those that work normal hours.
It is also interesting to note that sprains and strains were reported as the number one cause of
injury across all demographics.
This report by Safetysolutions.net.au has more:
A report released by Safe Work Australia has found that casual workers recorded a
work-related injury rate 50% higher than non-casual workers in 2009-10, with females
reporting a significantly higher rate of injuries per hour worked than males.
The report, ‘Australian work-related injury experience by sex and age, 2009-2010’,
examines the work-related injury experience of male and female workers across
different age groups. It provides data that can assist industry identify demographics
where work health and safety can be improved.
In 2009-10, close to 640,000 workers reported they had suffered a work-related injury,
which is close to triple the population of a city the size of Hobart. While males recorded a
19% fall in the number of injuries incurred at work since 2005-06, the number for
females increased by 11%, indicating that more effort is needed to improve work health
and safety for Australian workers.
Other key findings of the report include:
• Casual workers (those without leave entitlements) reported 54 injuries per million
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hours worked compared with a rate of 35 for those with leave entitlements.
• Working under shift arrangements or as a part-time worker was also associated with
higher rates of injury. Half of all female workers worked part-time in 2009-10.
• For each hour worked, females had a 28% higher risk of injury compared with male
workers.
• High rates of injury were experienced in the accommodation and food services
industry. This industry has high levels of casual and part-time work.
• The most common cause of injury across all age groups was sprain/strain.
• Workers aged 15-24 recorded rates of injury substantially higher than other age
groups.
Source:
http://www.safetysolutions.net.au/news/54909-Higher-injury-rates-for-casual-workers-
The report can be viewed by
visiting:
http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/AboutSafeWorkAustralia/WhatWeDo/Publication
s/Pages/AustWRI_BySexAge2009-10.aspx
The fact that statistics prove young workers, between the ages of 15 to 24 have the highest
injury rate as compared with other age groups, demonstrates the need for employers to pay
particular attention to training and supervising these workers. Especially because young
workers are more often than not very inexperienced and are still developing, both mentally and
physically.
Young workers are also new to the working world and lack the experience, knowledge or skills
to understand the risks involved in work they are doing, especially construction work. Because
construction work is particularly dangerous young workers should receive both site specific and
general induction training. Once they have been sufficiently trained they still need to be
supervised especially when undertaking dangerous tasks, such as those involved in
construction. Often inexperienced and young workers do not feel confident enough to ask
questions or speak up if there is a problem for fear of looking incapable or losing their job. Also
young workers may engage in dangerous work practices because they are following the
example of experienced workers who don’t always set a good example for OHS in the
workplace.
By taking all of these statistics into consideration, employers can tailor their work health and
safety training and procedures in order to maximise safety and minimise the injury related to
these specific demographic groups.
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Posted by Peter Cutforth
Construction White Card Australia
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