Facts, Figures & Myths

 

Musculo-skeletal Sprain & Strain injuries accounted for 43% of all serious workers compensation claims made in 2007/08.  The next largest cause being Fractures with a mere 9%.

 

In 2007/08 almost one quarter (23%) of all serious injury workers compensation claims involved the back with the next closest being the hands (13%), followed by the shoulders and knees (9%).

 

Manual Handling (body stressing) was accountable for 41% of all serious workers compensation claims in 2007/08.  Lifting objects (18%), handling objects (15%), and falls from the same height (13%) were the three primary contributors to the manual handling based workers compensation claims.

 

Of claims relating to Injury & musculoskeletal disorders, the largest increase in median payments was in the Multiple injuries category, with payments rising $9600, from $13 700 in 2002/03 to $23 300 in 2006/07.

 

For every 1000 employees Transport & Storage (24.4), Manufacturing (24.1), Construction (21.6) and Mining (17.8) represent 4 of the top 5 most prevalent industries in terms of serious workers compensation claims incident rates.