Accidents: A Study and a Strategy for A Safer Workplace

Managing Managers in Occupational Health and Safety

“…Pearson (1991) found that involvement in decisionmaking is associated with fewer work related accidents, Rowe (1987) states that management and operators must work together to improve job design and the work environment, Wallin (1987) shows how safety committees and the involvement of workers can help with OHS, while Stamper (1987) urges co-operation between management and labour for good OHS. Management-employee co-operation as a necessary component was recognized at least as far back as the Robens report and provided for under state legislation throughout Australia.…”

“…It is little wonder, therefore, that $4.8 billion represents only the tip of the iceberg. Using Bird's cost ratio of 1 to 6 as a minimum (it could be as high as 1 to 53), the real cost of work accidents in Australia is likely to be at least (Pearson, 1991) for an average claim of $3647. Taking these to be representative of most claims in Australia and using $3000 as a rough average, it may be speculated that the real cost of accidents is conservatively estimated to be around $18 000 or more per victim.…”