Hundreds of lives are lost every year due to work-related incidents and in 2016, 182 people died across Australia, and 168 of those were men.

Whilst any loss of life is unacceptable, positive changes are being made in the workplace as worker deaths are 41% lower than the highest number recorded in 2007 where 310 people lost their life to a work related incident. 

Across all States and Territories, NSW accounted for the most incidents, closely followed by QLD. 

 

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing, Transport, Postal and Warehousing, and Construction Industries are still considered to be the most dangerous industries in 2016, but when you look at the fatality rate per 100,000 workers, the Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services industries have a high percentage of workplace incidents, making them another high risk industry.  

 

 

Vehicles continue to be the number 1 hazard for workers accounting for 99 of the total 182 fatalities in 2016. The 3 main causes of worker fatalities in 2016 were incidents involving a vehicle collision, falls from heights and being hit by a moving object.