The tenth CPM report looks at Australia’s occupational health and safety and workers compensation outcomes.
According to the report, workplace fatalities which required compensation fell by almost 20% over the four years from 2002. In 2006 to 2007, there were 246 workplace deaths resulting in compensation, as opposed to the 302 in 2002 to 2003.
This drop allowed Australia to claim the world’s sixth lowest fatality rate for the reported period.
The minister said although the report showed success in some areas, more can still be done to improve workplace safety.
The report also found body stressing accounted for 42% of compensation claims, retaining its place as the greatest cause of injury and disease. The period covered by the report saw 114,000 workplace visits by safety inspectors, with 62,100 notices issued, 574 prosecutions and $18m in fines.
The manufacturing industry was found to have the highest incidence and claim rates, followed by transport and storage, agriculture, forestry and fishing and construction.