Study reveals high-risk industries

At-risk professionals urged to take up insurance cover

Study reveals high-risk industries

Insurance News

By Mina Martin

A recent study by a comparison website has revealed the most dangerous industries for 2015, reminding people of the risks that come along with their job.

Finder.com.au made the ranking by calculating each sector’s “risk score” based on the number of serious injury claims and fatalities reported to Safe Work Australia.

Topping the list of Australia’s most dangerous industries for 2015 were agriculture, forestry, and fishing, while financial and insurance services were found to be the safest industry, news.com.au reported.

The top-ranked industries posted 52 fatalities and 3,410 serious injuries – ahead of more notorious sectors such as construction and mining – while financial and insurance services only accounted for 666 compensation claims and no fatalities.

Safe Work Australia identified vehicle collision as the most common cause of work-related death, with 1,258 vehicle-related workplace fatalities between 2003 and 2015, the report said.

Commenting on the surprising result, Finder.com.au spokeswoman Bessie Hassan said: “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.

“Luckily it’s not all bad news with the workplace fatality rate decreasing by 44% 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 aren’t provided with cover under worker’s compensation, so they should consider income protection as an option.”
 

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