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WorkSafe operational priority statistics summary

WorkSafe Operations Directorate routinely identifies a number of priority areas across industries, which are targeted for enforcement and compliance activities in order to reduce the occurrence of work-related injuries and promote safe work practices. The high-risk nature of the work in these areas means that they are likely to have a higher incidence of work-related injury and disease. 

Priority areas address particular occupational health and safety issues. Selection takes into account workers compensation claim figures, work-related fatality data collected by WorkSafe, and claim figures may also support the assessment of the effectiveness of efforts made in a particular area.  It is important to understand that there are limitations associated with use of claim data; however the inability to justify or verify priority area selection using claim-based statistics should not exclude the choice of an area.  Although there are some exclusions from claim-based data, such as cases for self-employed people, overall it provides the best indicators of OSH status available.

Claim data for lost time injuries and diseases (LTI/Ds) assist decision making when determining an overall approach.  This approach may incorporate one or more of the following goals from a statistical point of view:

  • reduction in numbers of LTI/Ds and fatalities  
  • reduction in incidence rates 
  • reduction in frequency rates 
  • reduction in duration and severity (frequency of long duration LTI/Ds) 
  • reduction in worker's compensation premiums.

These areas are currently:

  • electricity;
  • fall from heights;
  • slips and trips;
  • body stressing (or manual handling);
  • mobile plant;
  • machine guarding;
  • hazardous substances; and
  • fatigue management (transport). 

WorkSafe has now fully migrated to the updated coding classifications of Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification 2006 (ANZSIC 2006), Type of Occurrence Classification System Third Edition Revision 1 (TOOCS 3.1) and Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations First Edition (ANZSCO). All statistical information published for the 2009-2010 data reporting year will reflect these classifications. Due to the differences in structure and definitions between each version/edition of the three coding classifications a break in series has occurred. To ensure data integrity comparisons should not be made between classification versions. This means time series data is only available up to and including the 2008-2009 data reporting year in the older classifications until such time that additional years of data have been recorded in the updated classifications to enable reliable comparative time series analysis.

The following sections provide a brief overview of statistics and general information for each priority. Data on fatigue is not available.

Electricity

The following data are based on TOOCS 2.1 and ASCO:

  • In the five years from 2005-06 to 2009-10 electricity has been the cause of 7 work-related deaths, averaging more than one per year.
  • In relation to the mechanism of injury classification Contact with electricity, a total of 172 LTI/Ds were recorded during the five year period from 2004-05 to 2008-09. 32 LTI/Ds were recorded during 2008-09 in WA which is below the five year average (34). 
  • Of the 172 LTI/Ds, 86.6% (or 149) resulted in Electrocution or shock from electric currents, 6.7% (or 11) resulted in Burns.
  • In relation to the nature of injury classification Electrocution or shock from electric currents in conjunction with mechanism of injury contact with electricity, 2007-08 recorded the highest number of incidences (39) during the five year period from 2004-05 to 2008-09. LTI/Ds fell below the five year average (30) during 2008-09 at 29 incidences.
  • Many electric shocks are not reported, but are potentially fatal. 
  • Predictably, Electricians incur the majority of electricity-related injuries - 21 LTI/Ds between 2004-05 and 2008-09. However, Structural Steel and Welding Tradespersons, Secondary School Teachers and Personal Care and Nursing Assistants have also had time off work due to electrocution or shocks. 
  • During the five year period, the breakdown agencies most associated with electrocution or shock from electric currents in conjunction with mechanism of injury contact with electricity are Distribution lines – low tension (49 LTI/Ds), Control apparatus (12) and Arc welding equipment (10).

The following preliminary data are based on ANZSIC 2006, TOOCS 3.1 and ANZSCO for the 2009-10 reporting year:

  • 36 LTI/Ds were recorded against the mechanism of incident classification Contact with electricity during 2009-10p; 29 involved the nature of injury classification Electrocution or shock from electric currents and 9 for Electrical burn.
  • The breakdown agency Distribution lines – low tension was responsible for 36% (or 13 LTI/Ds) of Electrocution or shock from electric currents related to the mechanism of incident Contact with electricity.
  • No work-related deaths were recorded involving electricity during 2010-11.

Fall from heights

The following data are based on ANZSIC 1993, TOOCS 2.1 and ASCO:

  • On average there are at least three deaths per year due to Falls from a height. 14 work-related deaths were recorded during 2005-06 to 2009-10. 
  • The mechanism of injury classification Falls from a height accounted for 8.2% of all LTI/Ds during 2008-09. 
  • Around 1,351 LTI/Ds are recorded each year. 
  • Incidences have increased 17.2% during the five year period from 2004-05 to 2008-09. 1,448 LTI/Ds were recorded during 2008-09 – the highest figure since 2003-04.
  • In recent years the proportion of severe incidences (60 or more days/shifts lost) has increased consistently since 2006-07. Severe LTI/Ds accounted for 24.2% of all Falls from a height incidences in 2004-05 this has risen to 28.7% in 2008-09. 
  • The average number of days lost due to Falls from a height is 110,246 (from 2004-05 to 2008-09). Each injury results in about 81 days lost from work. 
  • In order of magnitude the most common types of injury resulting from Falls from a height are Sprains and strains (accounts for almost half of these injuries at 48.6%), Fractures (21.4%), and Contusion with intact skin surface and crushing injuries excluding those with fracture (17.1%). 
  • During the five year period, typical breakdown agencies of incidences in this category are workers falling down Indoor steps or stairways (19.3%), from Trucks, semi-trailers, lorries (14.8%) and from Ladders (14.6%) in a variety of occupations. Falls from equestrian animals also account for many lost time injuries. 
  • Ankle and knees tend to be the areas of the body most affected by Falls from a height (17.5% and 15.7% respectively).

The following preliminary data are based on ANZSIC 2006, TOOCS 3.1 and ANZSCO for the 2009-10 reporting year:

  • Eight work-related fatalities regarding fall from height were notified to WorkSafe during 2010-11; four were recorded in the Construction industry.
  • Preliminary data show 1,172 LTI/Ds were recorded during 2009-10 for the mechanism of incident classification Falls from a height. 
  • The nature of injury associated with the majority of this mechanism of incident is Soft tissue injuries due to trauma or unknown mechanisms with insufficient information to code elsewhere accounting for 36.1% of all fall from height injuries (or 424 LTI/Ds). 
  • The Construction division recorded the highest number of LTI/Ds in this year at 279 proportionally accounting for 23.8% of the total. Transport, Postal and Warehousing and Manufacturing were joint second highest each recording 122 falls from a height LTI/Ds.

Slips and trips (falls on the same level)

The following data are based on ANZSIC 1993, TOOCS 2.1 and ASCO:

  • The second most common reason for injury after muscular stress while handling in 2008-09, accounting for 13.1% 
  • On average 2,321 LTI/Ds result from the mechanism of injury Falls on the same level each year. Incidents have fallen 4.7% during 2008-09 compared to 2004-05.
  • The total number of day lost has increased from 134,040 in 2004-05 to 190,093 in 2008-09 – a 41.8% increase.
  • On average 67 days/shifts are lost from work per LTI/D. 
  • In 2008-09 76.2% of LTI/Ds for the mechanism Falls on the same level, resulted in one week’s absence (five days) from work. This is a slight increase compared to 2007-08 (75.2%).
  • Industries to experience the highest proportions of slips and trips for the five year period are Health and Community Services, Manufacturing and the Retail Trade (in order of magnitude). 
  • Slips and trips were the most common cause of injury to Cleaners (120 LTI/Ds), Sales Assistants (102) and Personal Care and Nursing Assistants (100) in 2007-08. During 2008-09 the same occupations appear however, the order is different. Cleaners (113 LTI/Ds), Personal Care and Nursing Assistants (109) followed by Sales Assistants (99).
  • Sprains and strains is responsible for more than half (57.6%) of all injuries resulting from slips and trips during 2004-05 to 2008-09.
  • Typical breakdown agencies of injuries include slipping on Outdoor traffic and ground surfaces other, Indoor other internal traffic and ground areas and Indoor wet, oily, icy other internal traffic and floor.

The following preliminary data are based on ANZSIC 2006, TOOCS 3.1 and ANZSCO for the 2009-10 reporting year:

  • 2,448 LTI/Ds were recorded against the mechanism of incident classification fall on the same level during 2009-10p; 46.7% (or 1,145 LTI/Ds) involved the nature of injury classification Soft tissue injuries due to trauma or unknown mechanisms with insufficient information to code elsewhere followed by 15.9% (or 391) for Other fractures, not elsewhere classified.
  • Industry divisions that recorded the most LTI/Ds for this mechanism of incident during 2009-10p are Health Care and Social Assistance (409), Education and Training (317) and Manufacturing (251).
  • Occupation classifications most commonly associated with Falls on the same level during 2009-10 are Truck Driver (General) with 105 LTI/Ds, Commercial Cleaner (92) and Sales Assistant (General) and Aged or Disabled Carer each recording 85 LTI/Ds.

Body Stressing (or manual handling)

The following data are based on ANZSIC 1993, TOOCS 2.1 and ASCO:

  • Body stressing is the most common cause of injury in Australia. 
  • Muscular stress while handling and Muscular stress while lifting are the two most common mechanisms of injury in WA (during the period 2004-05 to 2008-09). 
  • On average 3,444 Muscular stress while handling injuries and 2,432 Muscular stress while lifting injuries per year. During the five year period, LTI/Ds increased 15.2% and fell 30.8% respectively. 
  • Body stressing injuries accounted for more than a third of all LTI/Ds during 2008-09 (37%).
  • In 2008-09, 29.4% of LTI/Ds (or 1,962) in the Body stressing group resulted in 60 days/shifts or more lost from work – the highest proportion since 2003-04.
  • A total of 592,609 days were lost during 2008-09 due to body stressing injuries – above the five year average of 545,029. This equates to 89 days lost per injury in 2008-09.
  • There have been no fatalities directly attributable to lifting; however it is possible that lifting/manual handling is a contributing factor in many accidents and fatalities. 
  • During the five year period from 2004-05 to 2008-09, the Health and Community Services, Manufacturing and Retail Trade industry divisions account for the largest proportion of these types of injuries (in order of magnitude). In 2008-09 alone the top three industries were Health and Community Services, Manufacturing and Construction.
  • Crates, cartons, boxes, cases, drums, kegs, barrels and Other person are the common breakdown agencies of body stressing injuries
  • As you would probably expect, the lower back and shoulder are the areas of the body most affected by these types of injuries.

The following preliminary data are based on ANZSIC 2006, TOOCS 3.1 and ANZSCO for the 2009-10 reporting year:

  • Preliminary data for 2009-10 show 6,506 LTI/Ds were recorded for the mechanism of incident group Body Stressing.
  • Within the group, Muscular stress while handling objects other than lifting, carrying or putting down recorded the greatest proportion of incidences by far at 57.2%. Muscular stress while lifting, carrying or putting down objects accounted for 29.3%, Muscular stress with no objects being handled (12.8%) and Repetitive movement, low muscle loading (0.7%).
  • LTI/Ds for the Body stressing group accounted for the greatest proportion of all mechanism of incident groups at 39% during 2009-10p.
  • The 45-54 age group recorded the highest number of body stressing LTI/Ds during 2009-10p at 1,113. The lowest numbers recorded were attributed to the 15-19 and 65 and over age groups (89 and 44 LTI/Ds respectively).
  • Occupations classifications experiencing the most body stressing injuries during 2009-10p are Aged or Disabled carer, Storeperson and Sales Assistant (General), in order of magnitude.
  • Industry divisions recording high numbers of LTI/Ds during 2009-10p are Health Care and Social Assistance (1,359), Manufacturing (868) and Construction (726).

Mobile plant

The following data are based on ANZSIC 1993, TOOCS 2.1 and ASCO:

  • Examples of mobile plant include forklifts, ride-on mowers, cement mixers, harvesters, road rollers and earthmoving equipment. 
  • 15 fatalities were associated with mobile plant during the period 2005-06 to 2009-10.
  • Mobile plant accidents account for an average of 857 lost time injuries in Western Australia each year – 796 LTI/Ds were recorded during 2008-09. 
  • The number of WA LTI/Ds involving mobile plant has fallen 13.4% in 2008-09 compared to 2004-05.
  • On average a total of 63,598 days are lost from mobile plant incidences. This equates to 74 days lost per LTI/D. The total days lost recorded during 2008-09 was below the average at 55,833.
  • 34.8% of cases during the period are a result of Muscular stress while handling. Other common mechanisms or injury are Falls from a height (11%) and Being hit by moving objects (10%).
  • Of the mobile plant incidences reported during the five year period, an average 23.1% (or 197) resulted in 60 days or more absence from work.
  • The Lower back, Fingers and Shoulder were the most prevalent areas of the body affected by injuries involving mobile plant.

The following preliminary data are based on ANZSIC 2006, TOOCS 3.1 and ANZSCO for the 2009-10 reporting year:

  • According to preliminary data, 780 mobile plant related LTI/Ds were recorded during 2009-10.
  •  Of the 780 LTI/Ds recorded in the mobile plant category, the greatest proportion was attributable to Trolleys, handcarts with 25.2% (or 197 LTI/Ds) followed by Front-end loaders, log handling plant, other loading plant with 9.8% (or 77) and Trailers, caravans with 9.6% (75).
  • Muscular stress while handling objects other than lifting, carrying or putting down objects was the highest recording mechanism of incident for mobile plant LTI/Ds during 2009-10p – accounting for 39.4% of all mobile plant LTI/Ds.
  • Mining (169 LTI/Ds), Construction (133) and Health Care and Social Assistance (84) were the highest recording industry divisions of mobile plant incidences during 2009-10p.
  • One work-related fatality involving mobile plant was notified to WorkSafe during 2010-11.

Machine guarding

The following data are based on ANZSIC 1993, TOOCS 2.1 and ASCO:

  • Each year there are about 449 LTI/Ds in relation to the mechanism of injury Being trapped by moving machinery or equipment. 
  • Injuries in relation to this mechanism have fallen 14% during 2008-09 compared to 2004-05 (from 442 LTI/Ds to 380).
  • During the five year period from 2004-05 to 2008-09, the most common nature of injury is Open wound not involving traumatic amputation accounting for 43.3%. Around 8% of these injuries result in amputation.
  • The vast majority of amputations relating to the mechanism Being trapped by moving machinery or equipment are Fingers (75%) followed by Thumbs (15.8%).
  • Severe incidences (60 days/shifts lost or more) have decreased 4.4% during 2008-09 compared to 2004-05 (from 68 to 65 LTI/Ds) and down 9.7% compared to 2007-08 (72).
  • During the five year period from 2004-05 to 2008-09, Other and unspecified production line type of plant or stand alone machinery (145), Other powered saws (135), Power presses (129) and Lathes (119) were the most common causes of injuries from Being trapped by moving machinery or equipment. 
  • Metal Fitter and Machinists, Structural Steel and Welding Tradespersons and Engineering Production Process Workers were the occupations most susceptible to this type of injury.
  • There have been five fatalities resulting from Being trapped by moving machinery or equipment, one fatality was directly attributable to inadequate guarding during the period 2004-05 to 2007-08. In relation to the other cases, death was not necessarily due to lack of guarding to the machines involved.  No fatalities of this kind were recorded in 2008-09 or 2009-10.

The following preliminary data are based on ANZSIC 2006, TOOCS 3.1 and ANZSCO for the 2009-10 reporting year:

  • 335 LTI/Ds were recorded for the mechanism of incident Being trapped by moving machinery or equipment during 2009-10p.
  • Fitter (general), Truck Driver (General) and Welder (First Class) were the occupations most at risk of this type of injury during 2009-10p.
  • The most common natures of injury associated with this mechanism of incident were Laceration or open wound not involving traumatic amputation (104 LTI/Ds) and Contusion, bruising and superficial crushing (85). 
  • Traumatic amputation recorded the fourth highest number of LTI/Ds during the year (42); 37 of these involved the loss of fingers (or 88%). 
  • Breakdown agency classifications involved with Being trapped by moving machinery or equipment incidences during 2009-10p are Cars, station wagons, vans, utilities and Doors and windows, each recording 27 LTI/Ds.
  • No work-related deaths were notified to WorkSafe during 2010-11 relating to the mechanism of incident Being trapped by moving machinery or equipment.

Hazardous substances

The following data are based on ANZSIC 1993, TOOCS 2.1 and ASCO:

  • On average there are 338 lost time injuries or diseases related to chemical or substance exposure or contact each year. 
  • 326 incidences were recorded during 2008-09, 4.9% of which resulted in 60 days/shifts or more lost from work.
  • The average days lost from such incidents is 7,370. This equates to about 22 days lost per LTI/D. The total days lost recorded for 2007-08 and 2008-09 were below average. 
  • LTI/Ds for long term contact with chemicals or substances have significantly reduced over the five year period from 2004-05 to 2008-09 to less than 5 LTI/Ds. However, LTI/Ds may be under-reported due to long latency periods associated with some diseases as a result of exposure or contact. 
  • During the five year period, LTI/Ds for single contact with chemical or substance peaked at 288 in 2006-07 after which incidences declined to 241 in 2007-08 and 243 in 2008-09 – the five year average is 243. 
  • Other chemical products (such as glues, dyes etc), Insects, Spiders and other arachnids and Industrial gases, fumes are the most common breakdown agencies of lost time injuries or diseases relating to the Chemical and Other Substances mechanism group during 2004-05 to 2008-09. 
  • Poisoning and toxic effects of substances, Burns and Dermatitis are typical outcomes of contact with chemicals. These high recording natures of injury have fallen by 18.6% and increased by 28.2% and 17.1% respectively. 
  • The Eyes, Hands, Other and multiple systemic conditions and Respiratory system are the parts of the body most affected by hazardous substances (in order of magnitude).

The following preliminary data are based on ANZSIC 2006, TOOCS 3.1 and ANZSCO for the 2009-10 reporting year: 

  • Preliminary data show that 284 LTI/Ds were recorded during 2009-10 for the mechanism of incident group Chemical and Other Substances - accounting for 1.7% of the total LTI/Ds recorded in WA. 
  • 25.3% of incidences involved the Eyeball, 10.5% the Hand and 9.8% the Respiratory system in general.
  • Poisoning and toxic effects of substances, Chemical Burns and Contact Dermatitis were the most prevalent natures of injury associated with this mechanism group during 2009-10p.
  • Drilling down into this mechanism group, the greatest proportion of LTI/Ds is attributable to the subgroup Single contact with chemical of substance at 77.4%.
  • Occupations to record the highest number of LTI/Ds during 2009-10p were Gardener (General) and Commercial Cleaner, both recording 12 LTI/Ds.
  • During 2009-10p, Manufacturing (60 LTI/Ds), Health Care and Social Assistance (27) and Construction (25) recorded the highest numbers LTI/Ds relating to chemicals and other substances.
  • No work-related deaths were notified to WorkSafe during 2010-11.
  • Diseases related to hazardous substances may have a long latency period and may not become evident until after a worker leaves the workforce. 
  • Preventive health surveillance and air monitoring work reduces the likelihood of workers developing diseases.

 


 

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