Decade of fatal injuries in workers in New Zealand

Making Education Easy

Authors:

Lilley R, et al.

May 25, 2020

Summary:

Insights from a comprehensive 10-year national observational study of worker fatalities using coronial records from 2005–2014 found high fatality rates for workers aged 70–84 years, males and Māori. A total of 955 workers were fatally injured over the 10-year period translating to a rate of 4.8 per 100,000 worker-years. Mining occupations had the highest fatality rate in the workplace setting. Transport, postal and warehousing occupations had the highest fatality rate in the work-traffic setting, categorised as motor vehicle incidents in the course of their work on public roads.

Comment:

Last year we lost one of our patients to an accident at his workplace. It made me think about whether there were inequities in fatal workplace injuries, so I tried to find data but couldn’t. This paper has done the work for me, although unfortunately it has also confirmed my assumptions.

Reference: Inj Prev. 2020 Mar 24. doi: 10.1136/injuryprev-2020-043643. [Epub ahead of print]

Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood

Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.

Research Review publications are intended for New Zealand health professionals.

Disclaimer: This publication is not intended as a replacement for regular medical education but to assist in the process. The reviews are a summarised interpretation of the published study and reflect the opinion of the writer rather than those of the research group or scientific journal. It is suggested readers review the full trial data before forming a final conclusion on its merits.