Ten years of compensation claims: What can we learn?

A recent report released by the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research has provided fascinating insight into incidence of work injuries and compensation claims in the ten-year period from 2004 to 2014. Unsurprisingly, musculoskeletal injuries continue to be the highest proportion of compensation claims and cumulative time loss.

The report conducted by researchers at Monash University investigates the effect of variables such as age, gender, injury type and state or territory on the incidence of work related conditions and time off work.

Some of the other key findings:

• Workplaces are getting safer with the incidence of work related conditions declining from 63.6 to 42.6 per 1000 workers over the past 10 years.
• The median time loss duration has increased by 4.8 %.
• Mental Health conditions are associated with the longest duration of time off and has increased the most out of all injury types over the study period.
• Males are more likely to make a claim than female workers, however, ‘serious’ claims have increased for female workers.
• Claim incidence and duration of time lost increases with age.

Whilst the incidence of musculoskeletal (MSK) claims is decreasing, the report highlights that MSK claims are still the most significant issue affecting the health of workers and an area where massive improvement can be made.

Massive reductions in MSK claims is not unrealistic. A&L Windows & Doors have demonstrated tremendous improvements in MSK claims through the use of onsite physiotherapy. In the first 18 months of their ‘Framing Health’ program there was a 63% reduction in musculoskeletal injury claims and an 89% decrease in total musculoskeletal claim costs. All the while the business experienced a period of significant growth.

According to Employ Health Director, Matthew Stewart, the report also demonstrates the need to be proactive in preparing for an ageing workforce. "As noted in the study, the incidence and duration of time loss increases with age. Acting now to implement programs that can increase the capacity of older workers to perform the requirements of their task will mitigate the future risk of an ageing workforce," said Matthew.

References:

Lane T, Collie A, Hassani-Mahmooei B. Work-related injury and illness in Australia, 2004 to 2014. What is the incidence of work-related conditions and their impact on time lost from work by state and territory, age, gender and injury type? Melbourne (AU): Monash University, ISCRR; 2016 Jun. 54 p. Report No.: 118-0616-R02.