More than 42,000 people in the transport, postal and warehousing industry experienced work-related injuries this year, according to ABS
By Ruza Zivkusic | December 13, 2010
More than 42,000 people in the transport, postal and warehousing industry have experienced a work-related injury this year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures.
The figures, released today, show 6.7 percent of the 12 million people who were employed at some time in the last year were injured or fell ill while working in the transport industry.
Ten percent of them were male and 2.1 percent were females.
The overall number of people experiencing injury or an illness has declined, according to the ABS.
About 640,700 people, or 5.3 percent, of the 12 million were hurt or became ill during 2009-10, compared with 690,000 in 2005-06.
The figures show men were more likely to experience injuries, making 56 percent of the total figure.
Fifty-five men per 1000 were at a greater risk of injuries and illness but the figure is down from 74 per 1000 in 2005-06 compared to women at 51 per 1000, which is the same rate in 2005-06.
People aged 45-49 were at greater risk of being injuries or falling ill.
However, the decrease in the rates of incidence of work-related injuries was highest for young men.
The most commonly reported injuries or illnesses were sprains and strains (30 percent), followed by chronic joint or muscle conditions (18 percent) and cuts or open wounds (16 percent).
Up to half of the most recent work-related cases were sustained mostly by lifting, pushing or pulling objects or by hitting or being hit or cut by an object.
More than 60 percent of those who experienced a work-related injury received financial assistance, and more than half received workers’ compensation out of those that did receive financial assistance.
More than 55 percent of those who experienced a work-related injury had some time off.
Around 30 percent of people who worked at some time in the last year had not received formal training in occupational health and safety risks in the workplace.