Fact Sheet

• The Social impact of injury, disease or death as a result of a workplace accident on family, friends and the community is profound and incalculable. The economic impact of death and disablement on industry and the community can be measured in billions of dollars a year. This is made up of costs such as the loss of trained, skilled and experienced people, compensation payments, hospitalisation and medical resources including rehabilitation, ongoing care costs and to victims, the costs of litigation and payouts by insurers under compensation or negligence actions. ( ACEA Information )

• Did you know it is estimated that 90% of all workplace accidents are as a result of human error? ( Feyer, A.M & Williamson, A (1998) Human Factors in Accident Modelling) However, Worksafe Australia research shows that this figure could actually be as high as 97%.
  

•  Improvements to OH&S performance will help workplace productivity, participation and efficiency, and the creation of better and safer workplaces for all Australians through a shared goal of prevention and national cooperation. ( ACEA Information )

• A national OH&S Strategy (2002-2012) was agreed to by all Australian governments, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( ACCI )  and the Australian Council of Trade Union s ( ACTU ). The Strategy sets very clear and ambitious goals for OH&S and is a key initiative to improve Australia’s OH&S performance. ( Australian Government – Australian Safety and Compensation Council ASCC )

• The five priorities identified by the National Strategy are:       

• Reduce the impact of risk at work.
• Improve the capacity of business operators and workers to manage OH&S effectively.
• Prevent occupational disease more effectively.
• Eliminate hazards at the design stage.
• Strengthen the capacity of government to influence OH&S outcome.


•  Raising safety awareness is recognised as a key factor in the prevention of accidents.