Death on the job: SafeWork Australia releases 2022 fatality count

Death on the Job: SafeWork Australia Releases 2022 Fatality Count

Twelve Australian workers have been killed at work this year, according to SafeWork Australia. Behind each number sits a family, a workplace, and a preventable tragedy that safety professionals across the country are working hard to stop from happening again.

Which Industries Have Recorded the Most Deaths?

The Transport, postal & warehousing industry has lost six workers, making it the deadliest sector recorded so far this year. Others include:

• Agriculture, forestry & fishing - two fatalities
• Electricity, gas, water & waste services - two fatalities
• Construction - one fatality
• Public administration & safety - one fatality

Many of these incidents involve vehicles, plant, or work carried out at height, underscoring how critical robust risk controls remain for high-hazard tasks. Falls from height continue to feature heavily in fatality data across multiple industries, reinforcing why height safety procedures deserve close attention from employers and supervisors alike.

Why Health and Safety Systems Matter

Every fatality reinforces the need for stronger workplace health and safety systems, clearer procedures, and consistent supervision. Businesses operating cranes, scaffolding, or elevated work platforms should ensure their teams follow strict height controls, since work performed above ground level remains one of the leading causes of serious harm.

Employers in construction, manufacturing, and healthcare settings can reduce risk by embedding practical tools such as our Digital JSA - Job Safety Analysis Template into daily operations, giving supervisors a structured way to identify hazards before work begins. For New Zealand-based teams, our Job Safety Analysis (JSA) Pack NZ and JSA - Job Safety Analysis Worksheet offer similar protection tailored to local requirements.

Plant and Equipment Risks

Given that several fatalities relate to plant and machinery, organisations should review their obligations under the Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice, recently updated to reflect current safety expectations. Regular audits, height restriction protocols, and proper plant maintenance schedules all contribute toward reducing preventable harm.

Tracking Ongoing Fatality Trends

SafeWork Australia continues updating these figures throughout the year. Readers can follow our related coverage in Death on the job: Safe Work Australia updates 2022 fatality figures and Death on the job: Safe Work Australia updates 2023 figures for later updates, plus state-specific insight in Death on the job - WorkSafe WA releases new data.

See SafeWork Australia's preliminary worker deaths by industry of workplace here.

Key Takeaways for Safety Professionals

• Transport, postal & warehousing recorded the highest fatality toll this year
• Work at height, vehicle operation, and plant use remain significant hazards
• Strong health and safety systems reduce the likelihood of serious workplace incidents
• Practical tools like JSAs help identify height-related and other hazards early