The National Workers' Compensation Statistics for 2014-15 serve to remind us that injury prevention can and should remain a firm focus for business, particularly among the labour workforce which experiences a rate of injury 3 times higher than the national average. Injury and musculoskeletal disorders continue to represent 90% of all claims with injuries to the back, hands, knees and shoulders being the most common in that order.
Data reflects serious injury claims which are defined as accepted claims requiring 1 week or more off work. Data excludes journey claims.
www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
Some interesting highlights from the data:
- Between 2000–01 and 2013–14, the frequency rate of serious claims fell by 33 per cent from 9.5 serious claims per million hours worked to 6.3.
- In 2014-15, injury and musculoskeletal disorders led to 90 per cent of serious claims and the most common were Traumatic joint/ligament and muscle/tendon injuries (43.8 per cent).
- In 2013–14, the median compensation paid for a serious claim was $10 900 for male employees and $8 900 for female employees.
Back on Track specialise in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, so get in touch if you’d like to chat about strategies to reduce risk and maximise productivity in your workplace.