Between 2016 and 2024, the South Australian construction industry accounted for 11.6 percent of all workplace injury claims. There was a 20 percent increase in claims in 2023 compared to 2022.
A notable portion of these claims came from younger workers, aged 18 to 25, who made up 26 percent of all injury claims, with large companies contributing to the majority of these incidents.
An analysis of 2956 businesses that made an injury claim over the period found that 18 businesses had 100 injury claims or more over the period. A further 61 businesses were identified as having injury claims greater than 30 but less than 100.
The injuries identified in the construction industry are primarily caused by four mechanisms of injury which are driven by various occupational tasks and environmental factors, leading to significant health risks across the sector. They are:
- body stressing
- being hit by moving objects
- falls, trips and slips
- hitting objects with a part of the body.
The joint campaign with ReturnToWorkSA will target 20 PCBUs with high injury claims, including private businesses, Group Training Organisations (GTOs), and labour hire companies.
These PCBUs will undergo a desktop audit and receive four annual visits to monitor injury data and compliance. The campaign will utilise the expertise of SafeWork SA's work environment unit and the new Health and Safety Representative (HSR) strategy will be discussed with this cohort.
Expected Outcomes:
- improved compliance with safety regulations
- reduced injury rates
- enhanced workplace safety culture.
Recent spikes in claims
A further audit campaign will target 18 businesses with 30 or fewer claims in the past eight years but a spike in claims in 2023 and 2024. Initial desktop audits will assess incident investigation and hazard control practices, followed by worksite visits.
The benefits of the new HSR strategy will be highlighted.
Expected Outcomes:
- early identification and mitigation of risks
- improved incident investigation and hazard control practices
- reduced injury claims and enhanced safety culture.
