The type of work a person does can influence their health and wellbeing.
More than 9 in 10
People killed at work in Australia are men
According to 2016–17 data, 93% of people killed at work are men (176 of 190 total fatalities). However, the rate of men killed at work has been declining, from 5 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2007 to 2.7 per 100,000 workers in 2017 (Safe Work Australia 2018a).
A serious claim is one accepted by workers’ compensation for an incapacity resulting in a total absence from work of 1 working week or more. Men accounted for more than half (64%) of serious claims in 2016–17. Of these, 9 in 10 (91%) arose from injury and musculoskeletal disorders, and the remaining 1 in 10 arose from diseases (9%). The number of serious claims for work-related injuries were highest among males aged 45–49 (Safe Work Australia 2018b).
The rate of serious claims was highest in men working in:
- road transport (22 claims per 1,000 employees)
- agriculture, forestry and fishing (21 claims per 1,000)
- manufacturing (18 claims per 1,000).
The most common types of work place injuries in men were:
- traumatic joint, ligament and muscle and/or tendon injury (41% of serious claims in 2016–17)
- wounds, lacerations, amputations and internal organ damage (19%)
- musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases (14%).
For more information see Safe Work Australia.