FALLS FROM HEIGHTS - FACTS & FIGURES

Here at Roadpod, we are firm believers that every person has the right to return home from work safe at the end of each day. 

Safe Work Australia compiles national statistics on work-related injuries and fatalities. These statistics are based on workers’ compensation data, fatality notifications from jurisdictions, the National Coronial Information System and the media. Work-related fatalities resulting from diseases, natural causes, suicides and the deaths of people undertaking criminal activity are excluded. 

Safe Work Australia in the 2013 report 'Work related injuries and fatalities involving a fall from height'  found: 

Over an 8 year period from July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2011:

• 32 workers were killed following a fall from a height.

In 2010 -2011, 29 workers died following a fall from heights equating to:

• 0.25 fatalities per 100,000 workers.

​A typical falls-related claim in 2010–2011 involved 6.2 weeks off work and at an industry level it was found that the road freight transport sector recorded the highest rate with 4.1 serious claims per 1,000 employees over a three year period - 2008-2011.


CAN YOU AFFORD TO HAVE AN EMPLOYEE OFF WORK FOR 6.2 WEEKS?
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At the detailed occupation level it was found that road and rail transport drivers recorded the highest falls-related incidence rate with 3.9 serious claims per 1,000 employees during the same period. 

This is 5 TIMES the overall rate for falls from heights. 

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FALLS FROM VEHICLES.

In the 8 years from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2011, 26 workers  died following falls from vehicles. Trucks were involved in 70% of the incidents (18 fatalities). In 12 of the 18 fall from truck incidents the worker was loading or unloading items from the vehicle.

In 4 other incidents utilities were involved with 2 of these incidents also involving  loading or unloading activities.