Workplace deaths on the decline, says Safe Work Australia

A new Safe Work Australia report offers an insight into the number of people who have died in Australia from work-related injuries.

The Work-related Traumatic Injury Fatalities report reveals that in 2015, 195 workers died from injuries received in the workplace. At 1.6 fatalities per 100,000 workers, this is the lowest death rate recorded since the report series commenced in 2003 and continues a positive downward trend.

“The report provides statistics about people who die each year at work,” said Safe Work Australia CEO Michelle Baxter.

“This includes fatalities resulting from an injury at work and as a bystander resulting from someone else’s work.”

In 2015, male workers accounted for 96% of fatalities, while almost 60% of work-related fatalities involved vehicles. Almost half of worker fatalities occurred in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry (52 fatalities) or the transport, postal and warehousing industry (40 fatalities).

These reports are based on information from a number of sources and data is constantly reviewed, which may change estimates as more information comes to hand.

The report is now available on the Safe Work Australia website.

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