Risk-taking higher in transport industry: report

Safe Work Australia (SWA) has published four new research reports to help inform the development of Australian work health and safety policy and practice, and one report has highlighted higher levels of risk-taking behaviour in the transport sector.

The transport industry report is the third in a series on priority industries looked at due to high levels of work-related injury and illness that is based on findings from previous Safe Work Australia studies since 2000. Of concern was that acceptance of risk-taking and rule-breaking was much higher in transport than in any other industry.

“This report identifies some of the important factors that need to be addressed if we are to reduce the current high levels of injuries and fatalities in the transport industry, as well as improving health and safety more generally,” said Safe Work Australia Chief Executive Officer Michelle Baxter.

The report showed that 20% of employers in the transport sector agree they break safety rules to complete work on time compared with about 6% in all other industries.

20% also agree that minor accidents are a normal part of daily work compared with 10% or less in all other industries.

SWA also released reports on the awareness of WHS among Australian employers and workers, how employers and workers source WHS information, and the prevalence of back and neck pain in young workers and the associated productivity loss.

Baxter said that each report raises important implications for improving work health and safety.

“The research provides great insight into the extent to which Australian employers and workers are consciously aware of health and safety in their workplace and actively try to manage risks,” she said.

For further information, see the following links or go to the Safe Work Australia website.

1. Mindfulness of work health and safety in the workplace
2. Transport industry: Synthesis of research findings
3. Work productivity loss in young workers
4. Sources of work health and safety information in Australian workplaces

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