6324.0 - Work-Related Injuries, Australia, 2009-10 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 13/12/2010   
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MEDIA RELEASE
13 December 2010
Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra time)
161/2010

Work-related injury or illness down, men still at most risk


The number of people experiencing a work-related injury or illness has declined, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

In 2009-10, about 640,700 people (5.3% of the 12 million people employed at some time in the last 12 months) experienced a work-related injury or illness, compared with 690,000 (6.4%) in 2005-06.

Overall, of the people who worked at some time in the last 12 months, men were still more likely to experience a work-related injury or illness at 55 per 1,000 men (down from 74 per 1,000 in 2005-06) than women at 51 per 1,000 women (same rate as in 2005-06).

More than half of people who experienced a work-related injury or illness were men (56%).

The highest rates of work-related injury or illness were experienced in the 45-49 year age group (74 per 1,000 men and 70 per 1,000 women). However, the decrease in the rates of incidence of work-related injuries were highest for young men.

The most commonly reported injuries or illnesses were sprains and strains (30%), followed by chronic joint or muscle conditions (18%), and cuts or open wounds (16%).

Around half of the most recent work-related injury or illness were sustained mostly by lifting, pushing or pulling objects (27%) or by hitting or being hit or cut by an object (25%).

More than 60% of those who experienced a work-related injury received some sort of financial assistance, and of those who received financial assistance more than half (59%) received workers' compensation. More than 55% of those who experienced a work-related injury had some time off.

Around 30% of persons who worked at some time in the last 12 months had not received formal training in occupational health and safety risks in the workplace.

Further information can be found in Work-Related Injuries, Australia, 2009-10 (cat. no. 6324.0) available from the ABS web site <www.abs.gov.au>.


Media notes:

When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.