There has been a 14.7 per cent drop in the rate of occupational injury and disease over the past three years - bettering the State Government's target of a 10 per cent reduction by next year.
Productivity and Labour Relations Minister Yvonne Henderson said today the Government's 1989 commitment to reduce the rate over four years had been surpassed a year ahead of schedule.
"These excellent results point to the success of the Government's new approach to occupational health and safety," Mrs Henderson said.
"The reduction has occurred since our 1988 legislation providing a framework for consultation at the workplace and the creation of health and safety representatives and committees.
"I am pleased with the operation of the system in which almost 7,000 representatives have been elected and trained since 1988.
"According to our figures for compensation claims last financial year, the rate of injury and disease has dropped to 32.5 lost time injuries per million hours worked compared with 38.1 before our legislation."
Mrs Henderson said that the only injuries which had not been reduced were manual handling injuries.
She said it was very disappointing that the Opposition had thwarted the Government's efforts to bring manual handling regulations up to the national standard.
While other injuries and diseases were reduced, manual handling injuries were increasing - accounting for 27 per cent of lost time injuries last year, up two per cent from 1989.
Employers who were addressing health and safety issues were increasingly aware of the productivity benefits of positive two-way communication with their staff, as well as the significant reduction in both lost time injuries and workers' compensation premiums.
Recognition of the role of health and safety representatives was crucial in ensuring they were not discriminated against for exercising their functions under the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act.
