Trucking, postal and warehousing jobs have topped the list of the most dangerous occupations in Australia.
The Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs list, released by lifeinsurancefinder.com.au, was compiled based on the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, capturing the number of workplace fatalities and injuries that occurred in 2012.
The transport and storage industry recorded the highest number of deaths, making it the most dangerous industry. 65 transport and storage workers were killed while on the job in one year, which was almost one-third (29%) of all workplace fatalities. There were also 8,450 serious injury compensation claims by workers in this industry in 2012, according to lifeinsurancefinder.
The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector was the second most dangerous industry with 53 fatalities and 3,815 serious injury claims, while construction workers were found to hold the third most dangerous job, killing 30 Australians and wounding 12,485 for the year.
Michelle Hutchison, Money Expert at finder.com.au, said that the list showed that some jobs were more dangerous than expected, and workers should plan for the worst, no matter their profession.
“Many Australian workers have to drive vehicles or lift things as part of their job, and they may not realise how dangerous their work can be. The most common serious claim for all industries was muscular stress while lifting, carrying or putting down objects, and the most common fatality was vehicle incidents.”
The Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs are:
- Transport and storage. The majority of fatalities among truck drivers and those working in transport, postal and warehousing were vehicle crashes.
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing. Commercial fishers are the most likely to die from being hit by an animal, drowning and heat exposure.
- Construction. The most common cause of death for construction workers was falling from a height.
- Manufacturing. The biggest causes of death in the manufacturing sector were car crashes, being hit by falling objects and falls.
- Public/Government administration, safety and defence. 13 deaths were recorded in this sector in the last 12 months.
- Mining. 63% of mining deaths were from being hit by moving objects.
- Retail trade. 6 fatalities were recorded, just one less than mining.
- Professional, scientific and technical services. 2,100 serious injuries were recorded in 2012 by those working as engineers, lawyers, accountants and/or scientists.
- Wholesale trade. The majority of fatalities in the export market occur as a result of being hit by falling objects, or while driving.
- Electricity, gas, water and waste services. There were 5 fatalities and 530 serious injuries recorded in this sector in 2012.
