Workers comp claims rise despite focus on safety

There has been a 20.5% increase in workers comp claims over the past decade, data from Safe Work Australia shows.

Despite this, new research commissioned by COS has surveyed over 1000 Australian workers and uncovered that the number of people who believe their business is prioritising health and safety is rising significantly (80% compared to 70% in 2023).

“It’s encouraging to see the progress employers have made in prioritising health and wellbeing, with 1.5 million more Australian workers feeling protected compared to last year,” said Amie Lyone, co-CEO at COS. “Regularly assessing staff needs across all work environments — whether in an office, on the road or on the warehouse floor — and actively addressing concerns helps foster a culture where safety and wellbeing remain a priority for everyone. This, in turn, contributes to a healthier, more engaged, and productive workplace.

“Interestingly, concern about the expectation to work while sick has risen significantly in the past two years (46% vs 32%), suggesting that as more workers return to physical workspaces, anxiety around illness transmission is rising. For employees in industries that require a physical presence such as warehousing, hospitality and health care, this can be particularly concerning. Flexible work arrangements where possible, clear sick leave policies and enhanced hygiene practices can help alleviate these concerns.”

The research also revealed the top three health and safety improvements Australians would like to see in their workplace: mental health days (39%), training sessions (19%) and ergonomic equipment (14%).

“It’s insightful to see that these top three improvement requests resonate across all demographics. This suggests that focusing on these areas can significantly enhance the health, safety and productivity of any team,” Lyone said.

How can employers improve staff wellbeing?

1. Engage employees in safety discussions. Facilitate company-wide meetings or tailored sessions for different teams to better understand their unique safety concerns and needs — such as office staff, warehouse and factory workers, transport and logistics personnel, and frontline service employees. It’s also important to consider differing demographics, including employees of various age groups, as younger workers may require more training and guidance, while older employees might benefit from ergonomic adjustments or role-specific safety measures. By addressing the diverse needs within the workplace, businesses can develop more effective and inclusive safety initiatives that ensure all employees feel supported.
2. Support employee wellbeing beyond the workplace. Workplace safety goes beyond just physical environments. It is important to utilise an employee assistance program (EAP) and wellbeing services that offer confidential support for employees navigating personal and professional challenges.
3. Set clear timelines for action. Safety initiatives often fall by the wayside when workloads increase. Setting clear deadlines for implementation and regularly communicating progress to employees ensures accountability.
4. Commit to ongoing safety reviews. Workplaces evolve, and so do safety risks. Regularly revisiting workplace safety measures every six to 12 months ensures continuous improvement.
5. Integrate hygiene, safety and organisation solutions. Maintaining a clean, well-organised and hazard-free workspace is critical to workplace safety. Implementing proper hygiene solutions such as hand sanitiser stations and disinfectant supplies can help reduce the spread of illness. Safety signage ensures employees are aware of potential risks and workplace policies, while storage and organisation solutions can prevent clutter, reducing trip hazards and improving efficiency.

“By including the entire company in conversations around workplace safety, it will help employees understand that the business cares about their welfare and will also make them aware of any barriers that are preventing their improvements from being actioned, and what the company’s plan is to work through this. These points will go a long way to ensure that all employees feel that their overall wellbeing is looked after,” Lyone said.

Image credit: iStock.com/Johnrob. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.