Transport in Top Three High Risk Industries
Career drivers are amongst the most at risk it seems according to the latest statistics, highlighting the importance of compliance to chain of responsibility.
Statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveal that the transport industry is amongst the most high risk in terms of injury rates. The transport, postal and warehousing sector has workplace injury and illness rates amongst the top 3 in the country.
According to an article on transport website, Fullyloaded.com.au the transport, postal and warehousing industry was one of the highest risk industries to work in during the last year, ABS figures show.
A report released by the ABS on work related injuries indicated that in the transport, postal and warehousing sector, 76 injuries or illnesses per 1000 employees were recorded over the last year. In fact the only industry that ranked higher than the transport sector in injury rates was the manufacturing industry which recorded a rate of 82 injuries per 1000 employees.
According to the ABS machinery operators and drivers made up the highest rate of injury or illness based on occupation group at 88 injuries/illnesses per 1000 employees. Community and personal service workers followed with 73 injuries per 1000 employees – Fullyloaded.com.au said.
A spokesperson for the ABS, Stephen Collett stated:
“The most commonly reported problems were sprains and strains, which accounted for one in three injuries, followed by joint or muscle conditions at one in five,” ABS spokesman Stephen Collett says.
“Injuries most commonly occur when lifting, pushing, pulling, or bending, or by hitting or being hit by an object.”
There is however some good news for the country overall. The ABS report shows that the number of people who suffered a work related illness or injury in Oz had dropped. Mr Collett went on to explain:
“We’ve seen a fall of just over two percentage points. It was 6.4 per cent in 2005-06 and it’s now down to 4.3 per cent,” Collett says.
“Most people who experienced a work-related injury or illness took less than five days off work and about 40 per cent took no time off at all.”
Although the government has implemented chain of responsibility legislation to help keep road users as well as drivers safe, compliance with these laws is not always achieved. Companies should ensure that everyone involved in the supply chain is trained on COR so that they are aware of their responsibilities under the law. This is one of the ways that we can attempt to minimise the number of drivers and transport workers that sustain injuries and contract illnesses due to their work.
