Have your say on Work Health and Safety

March 27, 2012

In 2009–10, 216 Australians died from an injury sustained at work and 640 000 Australians reported experiencing a work-related illness or injury. 

(640k divided by 364 = 1758 injuries / day)

In the same year 303 000 Australian workers were compensated for a work-related injury or illness. ( 303k divided by 364 = 832 claims per day or 104 / hour 1.73/minute )

It is estimated that over 2000 Australians die from a work-related illness each year.

(2000 divided by 364 = 5.49/day or 5 working days per week = 7.69/day….that’s almost 1 per normal hour of work!)

In 2012 Safe Work Australia estimated that the total cost of workplace injury and illness to the Australian economy for the 2008–9 financial year was $60.6 billion. This represented 4.8 per cent of the Australian Gross Domestic Product.”
 

Workers have the right to be GENUINELY consulted in all matters relating to their work health and safety. 

 

There is clear evidence that effective workplace consultation is essential to effective hazard identification and risk control”

 
“The framework for work health and safety in the nation for the next decade, the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022 was released today for an eight week public comment period.

The Chair of Safe Work Australia, Mr Tom Phillips AM encouraged workers, employers and policy makers across Australia to actively be involved with the development of this strategy.

“All Australians have the right to return home from work safely every day,” said Mr Phillips.

“I urge all interested Australians to be aware of the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022 and consider providing their views on it as it will influence their working lives over the coming decade.”

The public comment period will be open from Monday 26 March to Monday 21 May 2012.

216 Australians died from a work-related injury in 2009-10. The estimated total annual cost of workplace injury, illness and disease is more than $60 billion. In the 2008-09 financial year this equated to 4.8 per cent of Australia’s Gross Domestic Product.

“Despite significant improvement in work health and safety in the last 10 years there is still more that can be done to keep our families free from work-related death, injury and illness,” said Mr Phillips.

“Safe Work Australia is seeking your views to develop a practical, overarching strategy with targets that all Australian workplaces can and should aspire to achieve.”

The draft strategy released for public comment today is the result of months of extensive consultation with Australian workers, unions, employers, employer associations, community groups and other key stakeholders.

It establishes clear and achievable targets and priorities for the progression of work health and safety in Australia. The ultimate vision is for ‘healthy, safe and productive working lives by 2022’.

To find out more about the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022 and provide comment go to www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.