Young men at greatest risk

Young men are the most likely group to experience a work-related injury or illness according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The report "” Work-Related Injuries, Australia "” was released in December and showed that men aged between 20 and 24 experienced the highest rate of work-related illness or injury with 98 incidences per 1000.

The highest rate for women occurred in the 15 to 19 year-old category with 65 incidences per 1000.

An overall comparison of men and women showed an incidence rate of 74 per 1000 for men and 51 per 1000 for women.

The industries with the highest rate of work-related illness or injury were: agriculture, forestry and fishing with 109 per 1000 people; manufacturing with 87 per 1000 people; and construction and mining with 86 per 1000 people.