Exploring how many young workers are injured every year in Australia

Young employees suffer workplace injuries at an alarming rate, calling for improved safety measures that can help create safer workplaces.

Workplace injuries among Australia’s young workers have been a rising concern over the last few years, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Between 2014 and 2017, for instance, 8,129 young workers were involved in workplace injuries (ReturnToWorkSA, 2023). Even though the safety measures have increased, these figures show that a significant number of young employees still sustain injuries that impact their careers and lives.

From injuries ranging from temporary and permanent, young workers face a lot of challenges and the consequences can be severe for themselves, their families, and even the healthcare system. This highlights the importance of better safety education, training, and preventive measures.

With young workers making up 14% of the Australian workforce (Healthy Workplaces, 2023), organisations need to pay attention to these statistics and make the necessary changes to their safety measures to create better workplaces for all.

How many young workers are injured every year: The numbers

While workplace injuries are inevitable, there are many steps that employers and their young workers can take to improve safety. Let’s take a look at a few figures and what they mean.

Workers’ compensation

Workers’ compensation claims

In the period between 2019 and 2020, young workers accounted for 13% of serious claims as a result of absence from work for more than a week (WorkSafe Act, 2022). These injuries result in workers taking significant time off and can impact their personal and professional lives, including harming their family's well-being if they are the sole breadwinner.

Most common injuries

Most common injuries

For young workers, the most common injuries or diseases leading to accepted claims included musculoskeletal disorders at 49% and lacerations, amputations, internal organ damage, and other wounds making up 31% (WorkSafe ACT, 2022). Knowing these common injuries and diseases can help employers make the necessary changes to improve working conditions.

Fatal workplace injuries

Fatal workplace injuries

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 163 young trade workers under the age of 25 succumbed to fatal work-related traumatic injuries between 2013 and 2022. One of the key steps that employers can take to avoid this is making sure that young workers aren’t pushed into work before they have the necessary training in their respective fields.

High-risk injury rates

High-risk injury rates

The construction industry is one of the leading industries for young worker injuries, reporting the third-highest rate of serious claims in Australia (Safework Australia). From hand injuries to back injuries and slips and falls, 40% of industry fatalities are attributed to incidents that can be easily avoided by prioritising safety strategies.

What Our Community Says About Us

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Research from NSW indicates that 15- to 25-year-olds have a 75 per cent greater chance of being injured at work

SAFEWORK NSW 2017

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Research from NSW indicates that 15- to 25-year-olds have a 75 per cent greater chance of being injured at work

SAFEWORK NSW 2017

Our Partners

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Youthsafe: Empowering young Australian workers

When it comes to how many young workers are injured every year, Youthsafe is dedicated to reducing these figures by promoting safety measures and strategies among young workers and employers. Our evidence-based programs and resources cover many topics from work and socialising to sports and driving.

Our Young worker safety initiatives aim to drive commitment to workplace safety across industries and the critical role we play helps create safer working conditions for Australia’s young workforce.

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FAQs

What are the long-term consequences of workplace injuries for young workers?

Workplace injuries can have severe long-term consequences for young workers, including physical disabilities, chronic pain, mental health issues (e.g., depression, anxiety), financial strain, and disruption to career progression. These injuries can significantly impact quality of life, earning potential, and overall well-being.

What can employers do to reduce workplace injuries among young workers?

Employers can take several steps to reduce workplace injuries among young workers, including providing comprehensive safety training, ensuring proper supervision and mentorship, implementing robust safety protocols, conducting regular risk assessments, and fostering a culture of safety awareness and open communication.

How can young workers protect themselves from workplace injuries?

Young workers can protect themselves by actively participating in safety training programs, following proper safety procedures, using personal protective equipment (PPE) as required, reporting hazards or unsafe conditions promptly, and seeking guidance from experienced colleagues or supervisors when unsure about a task or procedure.

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