FNQ top for work injuries

FAR North agriculture, forestry and fishing workers have made more compensation claims than the rest of the state.

Data from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland showed 13 per cent of all claims made in Cairns were from those employed in the outdoor-based industry. The industry employs 3.8 per cent of the area’s workforce.

Body stressing was the largest cause of injury in the Cairns area in 2016-17.

The claims make up 31 per cent of workers’ compensation claims in the region.

Traumatic joint, ligament and muscle or tendon damage was the key injury type in the Cairns area in 2016-17 making up 40 per cent of claims.

This type of injury was also the most common for Queensland at 43 per cent.

Maurice Blackburn Cairns principal Tanya Straguszi said October’s National Safe Work Month was a reminder to make workplace safety the top priority.

“All too often we see workplace accidents that could have easily been prevented,” she said. “Recently the Queensland Government introduced legislation for important changes that will see the nation’s toughest work health and safety laws in place from July 2018 if passed, including the new offence of industrial manslaughter.

“It carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment for an individual, and a maximum fine of $10 million for corporate offenders.”