Industry Injuries from The ACIF & Safe Work Australia Interactive Data

With construction spending surging past $113 billion and forecast to hit $120 billion annually, the pace of the industry is accelerating but so too are the risks. In just five years, construction accounted for over 160 workplace fatalities in Australia, with slips, trips, and falls responsible for nearly 28% of deaths. Injuries in this sector are not just a safety issue. They’re a cost burden, averaging $18,479 per compensation claim and 8.5 weeks of lost productivity. 

Industry Injuries from The ACIF & Safe Work Australia Interactive Data

Sources: The Australian Construction Industry Forum &

Safe Work Australia Interactive Data

https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/interactive-data/industry 

Introduction

With construction spending consistently exceeding $113 billion in recent years and projected to climb to $120 billion annually over the next three years, the industry shows no signs of deceleration. As activity ramps up, so too does the potential for workplace injuries, making safety and risk management more critical than ever.

Reference: Australian Construction Industry Forum

Fatalities and Claims Statistics from the Construction Industry

According to the latest statistics from Safe Work Australia between 2018 and 2023 (5 years), industries across Australia have seen a staggering 776 deaths. The construction industry over the past 5 years, is responsible for 163 deaths. That is, 17.1% of all fatalities.

Reference: Safe Work Australia Interactive Data

Fatalities as a Result from Falls, Trips and Slips

This is a result of several mechanisms including vehicle incidents, being hit by moving objects and slip, trip & fall fatalities comes in 2nd with 27.6% of all deaths. That’s 45 fatal incidents from falls, trips and slips.

Reference: Safe Work Australia Interactive Data

Fatalities by Location

NSW, Queensland and Victoria account for the majority of fatal construction incidents with 115.

Reference: Safe Work Australia Interactive Data

Injuries and Workers Compensation Across ALL Industries

Here’s a snapshot of workplace related injuries and associated claim costs across Australia. In 2023, the most recent year of available data, there were approximately 139,000 workers’ compensation claims across all industries. Each claim averaged around $14,000 in compensation costs and resulted in more than 7 weeks of lost work time.

Reference: Safe Work Australia Interactive Data

Construction Related Injury Statistics

The construction industry ranks 2nd, for number of all claims in 2023 with 16,647 injury claims.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference: Safe Work Australia Interactive Data

Injuries by Mechanism – Slip, Trip and Falls

By mechanism, the construction industry in 2023 had 30,284 slip, trip and fall injuries.

Reference: Safe Work Australia Interactive Data

Average Cost per Injury Claim

In 2022, each workers compensation injury claim in the construction industry costs employers - $18,479! On top of that, it cost employers 8.5 weeks of lost time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference: Safe Work Australia Interactive Data

Summary

Consider the cost. That is, $18,479 per claim and 8.5 weeks of someone’s productivity lost while they’re off work. When you consider the average cost of a single workers’ compensation claim, it becomes clear that even a modest investment in safety up front can pay enormous dividends. Beyond the dollars and delays, it's about protecting people. Every injury prevented means one more worker who gets to go home safely at the end of the day. In an industry where the pace isn’t slowing, prioritising safety isn’t just smart, it’s essential. 

Strong | Safe | Smart

www.toughtracks.com.au

Tedd Poulos

Founder & Creator | TOUGHTRACKS
info@toughtracks.com.au
www.toughtracks.com.au