Australian Safety and Compensation Council have released their new annual statistics that shows in 2006-07, 236 compensated fatalities and 132,055 serious workers compensation claims existed in Australia. This equates in the case of ‘serious injuries’ to 14 serious injury claims per 1000 employees.
The report records that men accounted for 68% of all serious workers compensation claims. The construction industry recorded the highest number of fatalities followed by transport and storage industries. Vehicle accidents were also a common cause of death.
According to RMH Schaffer , these figures should be a warning to any business that still maintains they have not had any serious injuries or a worker death in the last 12 months and that they are somehow immune. Worker injuries and resulting workers’ compensation claims can add to the cost of running a business. RMH Schaffer recommends updating the risk assessments, safe work methods and ‘due diligence’ defences. A company should also show evidence of the duty of care.
RMH Schaffer and OHS Consultants can show customers how to minimise the impact of a worker’s injury on their insurance policies. RMH Schaffer can also assist a client’s business with claims management cost reductions.