WHS industry insights create urgent reminder for apprentice safety
Apprentices and trainees are vital to the industry. Recent data from Safe Work Australia’s July 2023 report into WHS outcomes has highlighted some concerning trends regarding the safety of apprentice and trainee workers.
Article summary: Recent data from Safe Work Australia reveals a concerning 41 per cent rise in serious compensation claims for apprentices and trainees from 2016-17 to 2020-21. The majority of these claims involve technicians and trades workers, with laceration being the most common injury. The data has created an urgent reminder for employers of apprentices to prioritise safety training, equipment mentoring, communication, and regular audits to protect the industry’s future.
The rising concern:
From 2016-17 to 2020-21, there was a 41 per cent increase in serious workers’ compensation claims for apprentices and trainees, rising from 1,684 to 2,375. What is more alarming is that this surge occurred despite only a 13 per cent increase in the number of apprentices and trainees in training.
Who is most at risk?
A significant 87.3 per cent of these claims were associated with Technicians and Trades workers. Within this category construction trade workers had the highest number of serious claims. This was followed by Automotive and engineering trades workers and Electrotechnology and telecommunications trades workers.
What injuries are affecting apprentices?
The majority of these claims (80.3 per cent) were classed as Lacerations or open wounds not involving traumatic amputation. Other prevalent injury categories included Traumatic join/ligament and muscle/tendon injuries and fractures. Within the construction industry, Wound, lacerations, amputations, and internal organ damage were the most common injuries.
Unravelling the main causes of incidents and injuries:
Understanding the causes of these injuries is crucial for prevention. The data reveals that the majority of serious claims were due to being hit by moving objects, falls, trips, slips, body stressing, and hitting objects with a part of the body. Surprisingly, only 1.4 per cent of claims were attributed to Mental stress, despite a significant number of apprentices and trainees reporting workplace bullying. (A report in 2019, reported 21.2 per cent of apprentices, who completed their training experienced workplace bullying.)
Safeguarding the next generation of electrical contractors:
This data is not just numbers on a page; it represents real people facing real risks every day on the job. We must ensure the safety of our apprentices and trainees through:
- Training: Regular safety training sessions should be mandatory. Apprentices should be made aware of the common risks associated with their tasks and how to mitigate them.
- Equipment: Ensure that all workers, especially apprentices, have access to and are trained to use the latest safety equipment.
- Mentoring: Pairing apprentices with experienced workers can provide them with a go-to person for any questions or concerns.
- Open Communication: Create an environment where apprentices feel comfortable discussing safety concerns or reporting near misses.
- Regular Safety Audits: Regularly inspect the workplace for potential hazards and address them promptly.
Strategies for a safer workplace:
The safety of our apprentices and trainees is not negotiable. They represent the future of our industry, and it’s our duty to ensure they have a safe and supportive environment to learn and grow.
Key resources for our members: