A new 10-year national strategy to reduce workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses in Australia has been released.

The Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2023-2033 addresses ongoing and emerging challenges in work health and safety over the next decade, including managing psychosocial risks, the rise of artificial intelligence, automation and related technologies, and new types of work including gig work.

Safe Work Australia Chief Executive Officer, Michelle Baxter said “while data shows that fatal and serious injuries at work have declined over the last decade, Australian workers are still getting sick and injured, sometimes fatally, from work.

“Through this Strategy we are focusing our efforts to ensure the work health and safety system in Australia can improve outcomes and address emerging challenges over the next decade.”

Vehicle incidents, being hit by moving objects and falls from a height account for the most fatalities, while body-stressing, falls, slips and trips, and being hit by moving objects are the cause of most workplace injuries.

According to the latest data, 70% of fatalities and 61% of serious workers’ compensation claims occur in six industries:

• agriculture
• construction
• transport
• manufacturing
• healthcare and social assistance, and
• public administration and safety.

Source: SafeWork Australia, 23 February 2023