Pedestrian worker fatalities in workplace locations, Australia, 2000–2010

Abstract

Pedestrian deaths of workers in Australian workplaces (1 July 2000–31 December 2010) are described using coronial and safety authority fatality databases. One hundred and fifteen deaths were identified, with the majority male (93%) and aged over 50 years (59%). Four industries predominated (85% of deaths): Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (31%), Construction (29%), Transport, Postal and Warehousing (16%) and Manufacturing (10%). Similarly, three occupations dominated: Farmers (28%), Labourers (27%) and Machinery Operators and Drivers (25%). Common circumstantial factors (reversing machines or vehicles, driver also the pedestrian, driver's vision impeded and working accompanied) occurred in the Construction, Transport and Manufacturing industries, providing collaborative opportunities for prevention. Deaths occurring in the Agriculture industry showed different circumstantial factors, likely needing different solutions. While some effective countermeasures are known, workplace pedestrian fatalities continue to occur. Prevention strategies are needed to share known information across industries and to produce data enhancements and new knowledge.

Keywords:

• pedestrian
• fatality
• workplace
• worker

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Lisa Crockett and Steven Haas from the National Coronial Information System, and Alison Yardley from Safe Work Australia for assisting with data retrieval. This study was funded by the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR), Victoria, Australia.