Health and Community services sector records high workers’ compensation claims

The health and community services sector had the second highest number of serious workers’ compensation claims in 2006-07.

The Annual Compendium of Workers’ Compensation Statistics shows that only the manufacturing sector had more claims.

Over 16,000 serious claims were received from people working in health and community services.

According to the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) this equates to 15.2 serious claims per 1,000 workers in the sector.

While this is above the national average of 14 claims per 1,000 workers, it is well below manufacturing which had a frequency rate of 27.6 serious claims per 1,000 people.

There were also five compensated fatalities in the sector during this period.

The good news is that there were 445 fewer serious claims from health and community service workers in 2006-07 than in 2005-06.

The frequency rate had also fallen from 16.2 serious claims per 1,000 workers in 2005-06 – and 18.9 serious claims per 1,000 workers in 2000-01.

With the release of the data, ASCC chairman, Bill Scales, implored workers and managers to be continually vigilant in relation to workplace safety.

“We all have a responsibility for safety in our workplaces,” he said.

“And with a continued focus by workers, employers and governments we can continue to reduce death, injury and disease in Australian workplaces.”