The road transport industry ranks among those that consistently record the highest number of work-related fatalities.
With road crashes representing the most common cause of work related fatality, driving for work purposes is a considerable risk to a worker’s health and safety.
Workers’ compensation claims caused by work-related vehicle incidents generally lead to more time off work when compared to most other workplace claims and vehicle crashes account for approximately 38% (average from 2007-2016 in Australia) of all worker fatalities.
Some of the biggest WHS risks for road transport workers include time pressures, shift work and fatigue, physical fitness, poor vehicle design, manual handling of heavy weights, working at height, and exposure to gases and fumes.
Business owners, managers and workers should contact their local work health and safety regulator for practical advice and guidance about ensuring their workplace and workers are safe.
This Road Safety Week, share the road responsibly and remember those who have lost their lives on the road network.
More information about work health and safety in the road transport industry is available on the Safe Work Australia website.
Source: Safe Work Australia