The workforce
This industry grouping covers a wide range of activities, separated into seven groups.
- Coal mining
- Oil and gas extraction
- Metal ore mining
- Construction material mining
- Other non-metallic mineral mining and quarrying
- Exploration
- Other mining support services
1% of the total Tasmanian workforce
96% of workers are employed full time
Metal ore mining is the largest employing group
48% of workers are aged 45+
The injuries
74 injuries across the industry in 2019
25% of injuries over the last ten years resulted in at least one week off work
4 serious injuries per million hours worked, 56% lower than the state average of 9.1
52% lower serious injury frequency rate in 2019 than ten years ago; improving more than state average
The people
Workers aged 55+ had the highest serious injury frequency rate
Metal ore mining reported the highest number of serious injuries
Occupation groups with the highest percentage of serious injuries
- 28% Stationary plant operators
- 19% Construction and mining labourers
- 9% Miscellaneous labourers
Construction material mining had the highest serious injury frequency rate
The causes
The most common causes of injury across the industry
- Body stressing
- Falls, slips and trips
- Being hit by moving objects
Action areas
Priority conditions and causes identified in the WorkSafe Strategic Plan 2018-2023 relevant to the industry:
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Hazardous manual tasks
- Slips, trips and falls
- Safe movement of vehicles and plant