The most valuable part of a tradie’s toolkit is their health and safety
Safe Work Australia CEO Michelle Baxter said while tradies make up almost one-third (30%) of Australia’s workforce, they represent over half (58%) of serious claims for workers’ compensation*.
“Our research shows that the most common cause of injury involves muscular stress while lifting, carrying or putting down objects and the most common type of serious claim involves traumatic joint injuries.
Throughout August, Safe Work Australia will shine a spotlight on tradies’ health and safety by publishing a collection of data, videos, resources and information on our website. You can access them at any time, from any smartphone or tablet device.
“We recommend having a conversation with your work health and safety regulator about how you can make your worksite a safer place to be,” said Ms Baxter.
“Ultimately, we want every tradie to go home to their family, free from harm.”
Source: Safe Work Australia’s National Data Set for Compensation-based Statistics, 2014-15.
Note: ‘Tradies’ are comprised of technicians and trades workers, labourers, and machinery operators and drivers.
*Data originally published on 28/07/2016 has been updated.