Data released by WA’s safety watchdog has revealed the number of compensation claims lodged following serious workplace accidents has reached an 11-year high, with on average one worker killed every 19 days! But, hey,WA’s Commerce Minister Simon O’Brien says WA has a great safety record…
Workcover WA severe workplace injuries claims at record high
Worksafe figures show the number of compensation claims made over severe workplace injuries in WA has risen consistently since 2006.
Unions WA president Meredith Hammat says the figures are concerning.
“These are people’s lives that we’re talking about,” he said.
But, the number of claims for less severe injuries has dropped almost every year over the past decade.
“We’ve got the safest workplace of any state after Victoria,” he said.
The data is based on Workcover claims.
[Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-07/record-for-workplace-accident-compensation-claims/4182200?section=wa]
We can’t help but think that one of the reasons ‘nervous shock’ claims for direct family members for killed injured workers were recently abolished, for example in NSW, is simply because so many people are killed on the job! And instead of working on safety and prevention of senseless deaths, they prefer to contain costs by abolishing much needed support and compensation to distraught relatives. As we saw in John’s article, this is not only immoral, but poor financial management, as more money will have to be spent trying to fix people forced into substance abuse, resulting mental illness and homelessness because of these measures.
http://wp.me/p1MA9G-39f
an employee is killed at work on average every 19 days
Is that for real? Where the hell is the safety watchdog? How about a little prevention going on here instead of payouts for people who have DEAD spouses?
I’m pretty sure those people would rather have their husband, wife or partner still alive.
One every 19 days?
Well…WA’s Commerce Minister Simon O’Brien statement that WA has a great safety record is obviously outrageous…
RISE IN WORK ACCIDENTS RESULT OF WORKSAFE UNDERFUNDING, SAY WA GREENS
The continuing rise in serious workplace injuries is completely unacceptable and reflects the ongoing budget cuts which have been made to Worksafe under the Barnett/Grylls Government, says WA Greens Spokesperson for Occupational Health and Safety Alison Xamon.
Ms Xamon made the comments after new Worksafe figures showed that serious workplace accidents were rising and compensation claims had reached an 11-year high.
“These statistics are tragic and appalling,” Ms Xamon said.
“These are not just numbers, they each represent a worker whose life, and that of their family, has been changed forever by unsafe workplaces.”
Ms Xamon has been asking questions in Parliament investigating the number and role of workplace inspectors employed by Worksafe.
“Answers to my questions reveal that there is clearly a problem at Worksafe in employing enough Inspectors and even then Inspectors with the required level of expertise in some fields,” she said.
“What I have found is that it is common for Worksafe inspector positions to be vacant for several years, especially in country areas.
“This means there is effectively no or grossly inadequate enforcement of safety requirements in these regions in particular.
“I recognise that Workplace Inspectors are often passionate about workplace safety but, simply, there is not enough of them to meet the need on worksites.
“I contend there is a direct correlation between the increase in serious accidents and the fact that we do have not enough industrial inspectors.
“The Mining Minister has introduced a safety levy to fund additional mining inspectors, a move which received bipartisan support.
“In contrast, Worksafe has been happy to sit and watch inspector positions remain vacant and take no proactive measures to address this.
“Under the Barnett/Grylls Government Worksafe has been allowed to fail in its role and I am calling on the Minister for Commerce to address this as a matter of priority.”
http://alisonxamon.org.au/rise-work-accidents-result-worksafe-underfunding-say-wa-greens