160 Australian workers died on the job in 2022

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Latest Safe Work Australia figures confirm 160 Australian workers died on the job in 2022, underscoring the ongoing need for robust workplace safety management across every sector.

The Transport, postal & warehousing industry leads with 65 fatalities, Agriculture, forestry & fishing comes second with 37 fatalities, while Manufacturing and Construction recorded 17 fatalities each. These figures highlight persistent safety challenges facing high-risk industries, particularly where electrical hazards, heavy machinery and fatigue-related risks contribute to worker fatalities.

How Do 2022 Figures Compare to Previous Years?

In 2021, the Transport, postal & warehousing industry had 51 fatalities, Agriculture, forestry & fishing 35 fatalities and Construction industry 23 deaths. A total of 169 workers were killed at work in 2021, meaning fatality numbers dropped slightly the following year, though safety management remains a critical priority for employers nationwide.

For a detailed breakdown of prior figures, see our related report: 155 Australian workers died on the job in 2021.

Why Safety Management Matters Across High-Risk Industries

Effective safety management practices reduce fatalities by identifying hazards before incidents occur. Construction and manufacturing sectors, where electrical risks and heavy plant operations are common, benefit significantly from structured safe work systems.

Key safety management strategies include:

• Implementing safe work method statements for high-risk tasks involving electrical equipment or plant machinery
• Conducting regular job safety analysis to identify emerging hazards
• Providing ongoing safety management training for supervisors and frontline staff
• Reviewing electrical safety protocols alongside broader risk management frameworks

Businesses seeking practical tools can explore our Digital JSA - Job Safety Analysis Template, designed to support safety management on the go.

Safety Management Resources for Employers

Strong safety management frameworks help employers meet obligations while protecting workers from preventable harm. Organisations operating machinery or electrical systems should prioritise safe work practices tailored to their specific hazards.

For workplaces requiring formal documentation, our guide on When do I need a SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) outlines when these documents become essential for safe work compliance.

New Zealand-based organisations can access equivalent safety management tools, including our Job Safety Analysis (JSA) Pack NZ and the JSA - Job Safety Analysis Worksheet - NZ, both built to strengthen safe work outcomes across sectors handling electrical and mechanical risks.

Ongoing Commitment to Reducing Fatalities

Tracking fatalities year-on-year allows businesses and regulators to refine safety management approaches and target resources where risks remain highest. Employers managing plant equipment should also review our updated Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice Update 2023 for current safety management guidance.

Later figures, including those covering more than 70 fatalities recorded in the first half of 2023, are detailed in our follow-up coverage: More than 70 Australian workers died on the job in first six months of 2023. Readers tracking longer-term trends may also find our summary of 168 Australian workers died on the job in 2024: Safe Work Australia useful for comparing multi-year safety management progress.

Additional information is available on the Safe Work Australia website.

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