New data from Safe Work Australia’s Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2024 reveals that Australian workers continue to face significant risks in the workplace, with 200 workers fatally injured in 2023.
This marks an increase from the 195 fatalities recorded in 2022, underscoring the ongoing challenges in ensuring workplace safety, Safe Work Australia said in a news release.
The annual report provides a detailed analysis of work-related fatalities, injuries, and diseases, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the state of work health and safety in Australia.
Despite improvements in workplace safety over the years, the impact of fatalities, injuries, and illnesses remains profound.
“While Australia compares favourably to the rest of the world, the fact that 200 people did not come home from work in 2023 reminds us that we cannot afford to be complacent,” said Marie Boland, CEO of Safe Work Australia.
The report shows that Australia’s current work-related injury rate is 3.5%, significantly lower than the global average of 12.1 per cent. However, several industries remain disproportionately affected by workplace hazards.
Six sectors—agriculture, forestry and fishing; public administration and safety; transport, postal and warehousing; manufacturing; health care and social assistance; and construction—accounted for 76 per cent of all work-related fatalities and 61 per cent of serious workers’ compensation claims.
“All workers have the right to a healthy and safe working environment and any workplace death is unacceptable,” Boland emphasised.
Vehicle incidents were the leading cause of worker fatalities, accounting for 42 per cent (84 fatalities) of the total deaths.
There was also a worrying rise in fatalities from falls from heights, with a 71 per cent increase from 2022. The number of fatalities due to falls jumped from 17 to 29, highlighting a critical area for improved safety measures.
“While Australia compares favourably to the rest of the world, the fact that 200 people did not come home from work in 2023 reminds us that we cannot afford to be complacent,” Boland remarked.
In addition to physical injuries, mental health conditions have become a growing concern. In 2023, claims for mental health conditions accounted for 10.5 per cent of all serious claims.
These claims often result in longer time off work—over five times the median time lost compared to other injuries.
According to Boland, the data “serves as a call to action for everyone who has work health and safety obligations and all of us in work health and safety roles.”
For more detailed information, the full report and data can be accessed via Safe Work Australia’s website.
