WorkSafe WA publishes annual work-related fatalities report

WorkSafe WA publishes annual work-related fatalities report, releasing traumatic work-related fatalities data for 2011-12 to 2020-21 to support workplace safety planning across the state.

Summary: What the Report Reveals

The 'Work-related traumatic injury fatalities in Western Australia 2011-12 to 2020-21' report analyses data on work-related fatalities in Western Australia during the ten-year period. In this latest piece of safety news, WorkSafe WA confirms 170 work-related deaths occurred statewide during this period, offering a clear picture of where the worst hazards persist across Western Australia's workplaces.

Key Findings for 2020-21

During 2020-21, 17 people were fatally injured at work in Western Australia, with workers aged 65 and over accounting for 16 per cent of fatalities. This injury data highlights an ongoing safety concern for older workers across multiple industries.

Industries With the Highest Fatality Rates

Between 2011-12 and 2020-21, most fatalities occurred within three sectors:

• Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing (43 fatalities)
• Construction (27 fatalities)
• Mining (23 fatalities)

Together, these three industries accounted for 54 per cent of all work-related fatalities recorded, confirming WorkSafe has identified traumatic injuries within high-risk activity as a persistent challenge for regulators and employers alike.

Why This Data Matters for Workplace Health and Safety

Annual reports such as this one give safety professionals a benchmark for tracking fatality trends across Western Australia and comparing them against national patterns reported elsewhere. Reliable data supports better decision-making around risk controls, training, and health monitoring within high-hazard sectors.

For construction, manufacturing, and healthcare teams, understanding fatality trends within similar reports—such as coverage on transport-related work fatalities or recent safety news on a WorkSafe investigation into a Mandurah fatality—can help teams benchmark their own risk profile against comparable activity nationally.

Businesses operating in high-risk sectors identified in this report can strengthen compliance using resources like Workplace Violence Prevention Plan templates and structured Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) to document safety procedures on-site.

Download the Full Report

Download the Work-related traumatic injury fatalities in Western Australia 2011-12 to 2020-21 report directly from WorkSafe WA to review complete data tables and methodology notes.

Related Safety News

• WorkSafe NZ publishes annual report on electrical and gas incidents in 2023
• Transport-related work fatalities increase
• WorkSafe probes work-related fatality in Mandurah

Staying informed through credible safety news helps organisations maintain compliance obligations while protecting worker health across every industry sector. Teams seeking further compliance support can also explore Conformance Report templates or subscribe via SafetyCloud Annual Subscription for ongoing documentation needs, including resources tied to National Safe Work Month initiatives promoting safety awareness nationwide.