WorkSafe Tasmania

WorkSafe Tasmania

Safe and well every day

Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services industry snapshot 2019

The workforce

This industry grouping covers a wide range of activities, separated into 8 groups

  • Electricity generation
  • Electricity transmission
  • Electricity distribution
  • On selling electricity and electricity market
  • Gas supply
  • Water supply, sewerage and drainage services
  • Waste collection services
  • Waste treatment, disposal and remediation services

1% of the total Tasmanian workforce

83% work full time

Water supply, sewerage and drainage services is the largest employing group

39% of workers aged 45-54

The injuries

136 injuries across the industry in 2019

23% of injuries in the last ten years resulted in at least one week off work

3.7 serious injuries per million hours worked, 59% lower than the state average of 9.1

8% increase in serious injury frequency rate over the last ten years

The people

Waste treatment, disposal and remediation services had the highest serious injury frequency rate

Water supply, sewerage and drainage services reported 43% of all serious injuries

Occupations with the highest percentage of serious injuries

  • 35% Miscellaneous labourers
  • 13% Truck drivers
  • 6% Electronics and telecommunications trades workers

Workers aged over 55 report a higher serious injury frequency rate than other age brackets

The causes

The most common causes of injury across the industry

  • Body stressing
  • Falls, slips and trips
  • Being hit by moving objects
  • Mental stress

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
  • Mental health conditions
Last updated: 1 July 2020
my favourites