Agriculture, forestry and fishing named most dangerous industry

AUSTRALIA’S most dangerous industry saw 52 deaths and 3410 serious injuries in 2015 — but it’s probably not the one you think.

Grazier Don Heatley on his 12,600 hectare property south of Home Hill. Picture: Cameron Laird

LIFE on the farm is tough.

Agriculture, forestry and fishing has topped the list of Australia’s most dangerous industries for 2015, with 52 fatalities and 3410 serious injuries, ahead of more notorious sectors such as construction and mining.

According to comparison website Finder.com.au, which calculated a “risk score” for each sector based on the number of serious injury claims and the number of fatalities reported to Safe Work Australia, financial and insurance services came in at the other end of the spectrum as the safest industry, with only 666 compensation claims and no fatalities.

The most common occupations in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry — which only has about 305,600 workers, representing 3 per cent of national employment — are livestock farmers and crop farmers.

According to Safe Work Australia, the most common cause of work-related death is vehicle collision. There have been 1258 workplace fatalities involving a vehicle between 2003 and 2015.

The transport, postal and warehousing industry was rated the second most dangerous, with 40 fatalities and 8820 serious injuries, followed by manufacturing with 13 fatalities and 13,725 serious injuries.

The healthcare and social assistance industry reported the highest number of serious injuries — defined as those in which the employee was absent from work for at least a week as a result — with 17,565, but only two fatalities.

“Although jobs in industries like mining and construction are well known for being potentially dangerous, it’s the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry that comes out on top,” said Finder.com.au spokeswoman Bessie Hassan.

“Luckily it’s not all bad news with the workplace fatality rate decreasing by 44 per cent since 2007. It’s important for employees to understand the risks involved with their prospective industries and be aware that workers’ compensation won’t provide cover for incidents that occur as the result of employee negligence.

“It’s also worth noting sole traders and aren’t provided with cover under worker’s compensation, so they should consider income protection as an option.”

MOST DANGEROUS INDUSTRIES IN 2015

1. Agriculture, forestry and fishing

• Fatalities: 52

• Serious injuries: 3410

• Risk score: 42.10

2. Transport, postal and warehousing

• Fatalities: 40

• Serious injuries: 8820

• Risk score: 23.60

3. Construction

• Fatalities: 33

• Serious injuries: 12,575

• Risk score: 22.70

4. Manufacturing

• Fatalities: 13

• Serious injuries: 13,725

• Risk score: 19.00

5. Wholesale trade

• Fatalities: 3

• Serious injuries: 4630

• Risk score: 14.70

6. Mining

• Fatalities: 10

• Serious injuries: 2105

• Risk score: 14.10

7. Health care and social assistance

• Fatalities: 2

• Serious injuries: 17,565

• Risk score: 12.80

8. Public administration and safety

• Fatalities: 6

• Serious injuries: 8270

• Risk score: 12.20

9. Electricity, gas, water and waste services

• Fatalities: 4

• Serious injuries: 1175

• Risk score: 11.70

10. Administrative and support services

• Fatalities: 7

• Serious injuries: 3785

• Risk score: 11.60

Source: Finder.com.au

Originally published as Agriculture, forestry and fishing named most dangerous industry