WorkSafe Tasmania

WorkSafe Tasmania

Safe and well every day

Health Care and Social Assistance snapshot 2020

The workforce

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

  • Allied health services
  • Child Care services
  • Hospitals
  • Medical services
  • Other health care services
  • Other social assistance services
  • Pathology and diagnostic imaging services
  • Residential care services

16% of the total Tasmanian workforce, the largest employing industry of the state

48% work full time

The injuries

1,588 injuries across the industry group in 2020

1 in 5 workers injured in Tasmania in 2020 worked in Health Care and Social Assistance

15.5 serious injuries per million hours worked — highest of all industries — 70% higher than the state average of 9.1

The people

Occupation groups with the highest percentage of serious injuries

  • 33% Personal carers and assistants
  • 15% Health and welfare support workers

38% of serious injuries occur in Hospitals

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 that are relevant to the industry:

  • Musculoskeletal disorders
  • Hazardous manual tasks
  • Slips, trips and falls
  • Mental health conditions
Last updated: 18 May 2023
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