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CHAPTER 22.3. WORK-RELATED INJURIES

INTRODUCTION

22.3.1 The work-related injuries topic is included in the Multi-Purpose Household Survey (MPHS) every four years, and was first collected in 2005–06. Data on work-related injuries were previously collected in September 2000 as part of the supplementary survey program (see Chapter 21.15 for further details).

22.3.2 The survey topic collects information about persons who worked at some time in the last 12 months and experienced a work-related injury or illness in that period. The purpose of the survey topic is to provide information on the extent of work-related injuries and the characteristics of workers who experience them. Data collected in the survey topic assists in monitoring programs and formulating policies in relation to workers’ compensation and occupational health and safety.

22.3.3 This section describes only those aspects of the methodology that are unique to this survey topic and should therefore be read in conjunction with Chapter 22 which outlines the survey methodology used in the MPHS.


SURVEY OUTPUT

22.3.4 Data from the survey topic are published in Work–Related Injuries, Australia (cat. no. 6324.0) and are available in a Confidentialised Unit Record File (CURF). For more information on the CURF, see Technical Manual: Work-Related Injuries, Expanded CURF, Australia, 2009–10 (cat. no. 6324.0.55.001) and Multi-Purpose Household Survey, Expanded CURF, Technical Manual, 2005–06 (cat. no. 4100.0). More detailed data are available on request.

22.3.5 The survey topic collects information about people aged 15 years and over who worked at some time in the last 12 months and who experienced a work-related injury or illness in that period. For those who experienced multiple work related injuries or illnesses in the 12 month period, the most recent work related injury or illness is reported. Estimates are produced on an original basis only (i.e. not seasonally adjusted), and include:

Socio-demographic information
Sex; age; marital status; relationship in household; state or territory of usual residence, area and region of usual residence; remoteness area; birthplace and year of arrival in Australia, educational attainment; whether attending educational institution (15–24 year olds); current labour force status.

Income
Current weekly gross personal income from all sources; all sources of income; main source of income; all types of government pension / allowance received; total gross weekly household income from all sources.

Employment characteristics (both current main job and job in which most recent work-related injury or illness occurred)
Labour force status; employment type; hours usually worked (also in all jobs); duration of job; full-time or part-time status; status in employment; occupation; industry; whether worked shift work; expected future duration in job; whether worked on a contract.

Most recent work-related injury or illness information
Length of absence from work; whether received financial assistance for medical expenses or income loss; all sources of financial assistance for medical expenses or income loss; whether applied for and whether received workers compensation; main reason did not apply for workers’ compensation; whether occurred within the first 6 months of starting job; type of illness/injury sustained; how illness/injury occurred; location where occurred; main reason for ceasing job; whether returned to work at any time after; whether received any formal training in OH&S risks in workplace at any time prior; whether received formal training in OH&S risks in the workplace in current or most recent job; type of training undertaken.

• The MPHS topic, collects data through a personal interview with one randomly selected household member. In contrast, the September 2000 supplementary survey collected data for all household members in scope from one adult member of the household (any responsible adult methodology).
• In the MPHS topic, survey respondents are specifically asked to include any injuries or illnesses that occurred at work, travelling to and from work, or while on any work breaks. In the September 2000 supplementary survey, respondents were not specifically asked to include injuries or illnesses that occurred during these periods.
• In the MPHS topic, recurring injuries or illnesses were only included if the first occurrence was in the last 12 months. In the September 2000 supplementary survey, aggravation of an existing injury or illness was included if the aggravation was experienced while at work in the last 12 months.
• The MPHS topic includes any injury or illness suffered by an employee resulting from disciplinary action taken against the employee or failure by the employee to obtain a promotion, transfer or benefit in connection with his or her employment. These were excluded in the September 2000 supplementary survey.
• For the MPHS topic, the estimates are based on data collected over the 12 months of the financial year, while the September 2000 supplementary survey collected data in one month.

2005–06
Survey conducted (July 2005 to June 2006) on MPHS for the first time. Data published in Work–Related Injuries, Australia (cat. no. 6324.0).

2009–10
The following new data items were included: remoteness area; number of days of the week/shifts usually worked in job where most recent work-related injury or illness occurred; whether received formal training in OH&S risks in the workplace in current or most recent job; type of OH&S training undertaken.

The data item 'whether received any formal training in OH&S risks in workplace at any time prior to work-related injury or illness' was determined from responses to questions about whether received particular types of training. In 2005–06 this item was determined by asking a question only about whether any training had been received, not particular types.