OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES: AN EXPLORATORY ANALYSIS OF SUCCESSFUL AUSTRALIAN STRATEGIES*

Abstract

An examination of occupational injuries in Australia during the 19608is made. It is shown that the incidence of occupational injuries decreased by aboot 12% during the decade and that occupational injuries now approximate 200,000 per annum. Although there are approximately six injuries to men for every one to women, types and sites of occnpational injury do not differ between the sexes. Occupational injuries occur most frequently on Mondays, andthe incidence decreases sequentiaUy through the week. The age distribution for serious injuries (incurring an absence from work of more than 28 days) differs markedly from the equivalent distributions for minor occupational andall road injuries in that the third, fourth, fifth and sixth decades of life each contribute abont 20% ofthis total. The customary heavy over‐representation of young males is notably absent. “Passive” countermeasures (those that are bebaviour‐independent) are beld to bave been differentiaUy more successful than those that are “active” (those that require active cooperation). Examples are given.