Tool Box
Issue No. 10 - April/May 2003
Bruising Statistics
WorkCover Corporation has released its annual Statistical Review which shows that, in 2001-02, the majority of employees were injured in the community services sector, followed by manufacturing and wholesale/retail trade.
The Statistical Review provides a comprehensive picture of work injuries suffered by South Australian workers over the past year.
Acting Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Davey said that the research illustrated the vulnerability of all workers in our State.
"Manual handling (or body stressing) was the most common injury suffered by both male and female employees, accounting for about one third of all claims and almost half of the workers compensation scheme costs, or around $290 million over the past three years," Geoff says.
"Falls and crashes suffered by truck drivers or workers in the road freight industry was the second most expensive category of injury according to workers compensation data, costing the Scheme $7.5 million (over past three years).
"Stress suffered by school teachers, police, correction centre staff and hospital staff accounted for over $15 million in workers compensation claims (over past three years).
WorkCover Corporation data shows that 14 per cent of all injuries in 2001-02 were to workers' lower backs, closely followed by 10 per cent to workers' fingers and six per cent to workers' shoulders or knees.
"On average, one in 10 employers will have one of their employees make a workers compensation claim each year. While the direct costs of the claim will be borne through insurance, the business will suffer through major disruption and unexpected indirect costs," Geoff says.
Manual handling still greatest risk
Latest statistics from WorkCover Corporation show that manual handling-particularly in nursing homes and hospitals-is still the highest cost injury suffered by South Australian employees.
"Manual handling injuries involve lifting, bending or stretching...
