Annual Statistical Report
2009/10 to 2012/13
WorkCover WA
Workers' Compensation in Western Australia - Annual Statistical Report 2009/10 to 2012/13 Perth, Western Australia: Western Australian Government
Any queries or comments on this publication should be directed to: Research and Evaluation Branch
Legislation and Scheme Information WorkCover WA
Email: corporatecommunications@workcover.wa.gov.au Phone: (08) 9388 5555
Fax: (08) 9388 5550
© WorkCover WA, Government of Western Australia
This publication is available at the WorkCover WA website: www.workcover.wa.gov.au
Published by the Western Australian Government
Publication date: July 2014
WorkCover WA is the government agency responsible for overseeing the WA workers' compensation and injury management system. WorkCover WA undertakes a range of educational, advisory, enforcement and performance monitoring activities to ensure the WA workers' compensation scheme is fair, accessible and cost-effective for all participants.
WorkCover WA produces a range of statistical reports which detail various aspects of the WA workers' compensation scheme. These include:
• Scheme Quarterly Status Report • Insurer Claim Quarterly Status Report
• Medical, Allied Health and Vocational Rehabilitation Services Status Report.
These reports are available on the WorkCover WA website at:
http://www.workcover.wa.gov.au/Publications+And+Forms/Research/Default.htm
Citation
WorkCover WA
The Western Australian workers' compensation scheme
Western Australia operates a privately underwritten workers' compensation scheme. This means that private insurance agencies are approved to provide workers' compensation insurance to WA employers.
There are currently eight approved insurers operating within the WA workers' compensation scheme. The Insurance Commission of WA (ICWA) is also an insurer in WA, providing workers' compensation insurance for government agencies. In addition, WorkCover WA exempts employers who have the material and financial resources to cover their own liabilities from any workplace injuries/diseases that may occur, from having to obtain workers' compensation from an approved insurer. Exempt employers are commonly referred to as self-insurers. In 2012/13 there were 27 self-insurers within the WA workers' compensation scheme.
The role of insurers within the WA workers' compensation scheme is to: • underwrite the risk of claim liabilities
• calculate and collect premiums within certain parameters set by WorkCover WA
• manage claims including injury management and in many cases return to work programs.
Figure 1 below provides an overview of claims within the WA workers' compensation scheme for 2012/13 and outline the scope of this statistical report. For the purposes of this report, only work-related injury and disease
claims (highlighted in beige boxes) are reported.
Figure 1: Profile of workers' compensation claims in the WA workers' compensation scheme in 2012/13
Introduction
38,630
workers’ compensation claims lodged
1,234
Asbestos related diseases, journey claims and disallowed claims37,396
work related injury and disease claims lodged
37,396
work related injury and disease claims lodged
18,963
claims with no lost time
18,433
claims with lost time
18,433
lost time claims lodged
1,571
lost time disease
claims
16,862
Geographic distribution of lost time claims in Western Australia
In 2012/13, a total of 37,396 work-related injury and disease claims were lodged, of which 18,433 claims involved time lost from work with one day/shift or more, while 18,963 claims did not result in any loss of time.
This annual statistical report focuses on lost time claims as they have larger economic impact on the WA workers' compensation scheme than those without lost time.
The map illustrates the geographic distribution of lost time claims across Western Australia in 2012/13. The Perth metropolitan area has the highest number of lost time claims. Regions surrounding the Perth metropolitan area, including Peel, Wheatbelt, South West and Great Southern, have higher density of lost time claims compared to other regions. This pattern is reflective of population and employment density in Western Australia.
Introduction
1,706
Where does the data come from?
Table 1: Summary of national classification standards to code workers' compensation data
* See Glossary for definitions.
Where do I obtain more information?
About this report
Workers’ Compensation in Western Australia Annual Statistical Report
WorkCover WA’s annual statistical report is designed to provide stakeholders with an understanding of overall activity and key trends within the WA workers’ compensation scheme.
The report contains four key sections which provides information about: (i) workers' compensation premium rates
(ii) scheme statistics (includes claim numbers, payments, claim management and return to work) (iii) claimant characteristics (age, gender, industry, occupation)
(iv) injury and disease attributes (includes level of incapacity, nature and bodily location of injury/disease).
WorkCover WA collects data from approved insurers and self-insurers about all workers’ compensation claims lodged in the WA scheme. For the purposes of this report, this includes data from all current and former approved insurers,
self-insurers and ICWA.
WorkCover WA applies national classification standards to claims data supplied by insurers to obtain information about injury and disease attributes, industries where injuries and diseases occurred and occupations of claimants. Table 1 provides a summary of these classifications.
Workers’ compensation and injury management
WorkCover WA
www.workcover.wa.gov.au Telephone: 08 9388 5555 2 Bedbrook Place
Shenton Park WA 6008
Prevention of work-related injuries and diseases
WorkSafe WA
Contents
PageIntroduction 3
Overview 7
Report format 8
Section 1: Premium rates
1.0 Summary 9
1.1 Average recommended premium rates 10
1.2 Average actual premium rates 11
Section 2: Scheme statistics
2.0 Summary 12 2.1 Claim numbers 13 2.2 Claim payments 15 2.3 Claim costs 17 2.4 Claim management 19 2.5 Dispute of claims 23 2.6 Settlements 24
Section 3: Claimant characteristics
3.0 Summary 25
3.1 Gender 26
3.2 Age 28
3.3 Industry 30
3.4 Occupation 32
Section 4: Injury/disease attributes
4.0 Summary 3334 4.1 Level of incapacity 34 4.2 Nature of injury 35 4.3 Bodily location 36 4.4 Mechanism 37 4.5 Agency of occurrence 38
Section 5: Sprains and strains claims
5.0 Summary 39
5.1 Claim numbers and costs 40
5.2 Claim numbers and bodily locations of injury 41
5.2 Claim payments and mechanism of injury 42
5.3 Claimant characteristics 43
6.0 Glossary 44
7.0 References 48
Construction, Health Care, Manufuacturing, Mining and Retail are the top five industries responsible for
more than 50% of lost time claims lodged between 2009/10 and 2012/13. Arts and Recreation Services
had the highest claims frequency rate, followed by Manufacturing, and Transport, Postal and Warehouse.
Workers in blue collar occupations, such as technicians and trade workers, labourers, and machinery
operators, incurred the highest number of lost time claims. The most common causes of work-related
injuries are body stressing (physical stress on muscles, tendons and ligaments) and slips, trips and falls
occuring on the upper limbs or trunk of the body.
Overview
Summary
The recommended premium rates in WA for 2014/15 fell by 6.7%, continuing the downward trend since 2000.
This means the average recommended rate for 2014/15 reduced to 1.56% of total wages, down
from 1.67% of total wages in 2013/14. The decrease is largely due to continued wages growth in WA and a
reduction in claim numbers. In line with the recommended premium rates, the average actual premium rates have
been steadily decreasing since 2000.
In 2012/13, the number of claims (both lost time and no lost time claims) fell by 3.4% relative to 2011/12. The
decrease is primarily driven by a 7.3% reduction in the number of claims without lost time. On the other hand
adjusted (real) claim payments, comprising direct compensation and service payments for 2012/13, continued to
rise for the second consecutive year since 2010/11. Direct compensation (e.g. income payment) accounted for
65.6% of the total adjusted claim payments while service payments made up the remaining 34.4% in 2012/13.
Timeframes for claim lodgement by employers and decision making on liabilities by insurers have improved.
However, it has taken longer for insurers to finalise income claims, increasing from an average of 6.9 months in
2010/11 to 7.3 months in 2012/13.
The 'Return to work indicator' shows the proportion of lost time claimants who successfully returned to work
has decreased over the three years since WorkCover WA commenced collecting information on return to work
status in 2010/11. 70.2% of workers with lost time claims had returned to work either in full or partial
capacity in 2012/13, which is a reduction of 5.5% from 2010/11.
Consistent with previous years, a higher proportion of claims were finalised by way of Memorandum of
Agreements than section 92(f) deeds. The proportion of claims finalised via section 92(f) deeds has increased
steadily over the past four years by 36.7%. In contrast, the proportion of claims finalised by Memorandum of
Agreements has lowered by 3.1% over the same period.
Claim demographics show that differences in the number of claims and claim frequency rate between males and
females persist over the past four years. The size of the gender gap has remained stable reflecting the continued
gender disparity in labour force participation.
In 2012/13, the number of claims lodged by male workers was twice
Timeframe for reporting of data
Sprains and strains claims
Report format
Section 1: Premium Rates
For average recommended premium rates, data is reported between 1992/93 and 2014/15.
For average actual premium rates, data is reported between 1992/93 and 2012/13.
For both average recommended and actual premium rates, emphasis is placed on the four most recent years.
Section 2: Scheme Statistics
With the exception of return to work (RTW) indicators, data spans the time period 2009/10 to 2012/13.
WorkCover WA commenced collecting information on the work status of each claimant from 1 July 2010 and RTW indicators are only reported from 2010/11 onwards.
Claims associated with sprains and strains continue to be the most common type of compensable injury. A feature section for sprains and strains claims is included in this report to assist in identifying elements affecting these injuries, and establishing relevant incidence prevention and injury management strategies.
As outlined in the Introduction, this report profiles key activities within the WA workers' compensation scheme in four key sections: premium rates, scheme statistics, claimant characteristics and injury/disease attributes.
Section 3: Claimant characteristics
Data is reported between 2009/10 and 2012/13 for gender and age indicators.
Industry and occupation information is reported from 2009/10 to 2012/13. WorkCover WA uses the national classification standards for industry (ANZSIC) and occupation (ANZSCO) from 1 July 2009. See page 4 for further information.
Section 4: Injury/disease attributes
Section 1: Premium rates
Summary
Overview
Every year, WorkCover WA determines the recommended premium rates, taking into
account the latest available data on claims experience provided by insurers, as well as
broader economic factors such as movements in interest rates and wages.
total
In April 2014, WorkCover WA announced a 6.7% decrease in recommended premium
rates for 2014/15 in Western Australia, causing the average recommended rate to fall from
1.67% of total wages for 2013/14 to 1.56% of total wages for 2014/15.
The decrease is largely driven by;
wage growth in excess of wage inflation
a decrease in claim numbers for 2012/13 and in the half year to 31 December 2013
an increase in the average claim size less than inflation
a decrease in the expense loadings.
2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 Trend^
1.1.0 Average recommended premium rates
1.569
1.691 1.668 1.556
4.8 7.8 -1.4 -6.7
^ Legend:
1.1.2 Annual change in average recommended premium rates - 1993/94 to 2014/15 1.1.1 Average recommended premium rates - 1992/93 to 2014/15
Section 1: Premium rates
Average recommended premium rates
Premium rates
Average recommended premium rates (% of payroll)
Annual change in average recommended premium rate (%)
Increasing Stable Decreasing
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 3.080 3.234 2.830 2.759 2.469 2.235 2.545 3.092 2.970 2.630 2.470 2.340 2.250 2.317 2.117 1.849 1.582 1.738 1.497 1.569 1.691 1.668 1.556 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 % o f P a y ro ll
Year ending 30 June
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 5.0 -12.5 -2.5 -10.5 -9.5 13.9 21.5 -3.9 -11.4 -6.1 -5.3 -3.8 3.0 -8.6 -12.7 -14.4 9.9 -13.9 4.8 7.8 -1.4 -6.7 -15.0 -10.0 -5.0 0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 % A n n u a l C h a n g e
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 Trend^
1.2.0 Average actual premium rates
1.51
1.36 1.40 1.50
4.9 -9.9 2.9 7.1
^ Legend:
1.2.2 Annual change in average actual premium rates - 1993/94 to 2012/13
Section 1: Premium rates
Average actual premium rates
Premium rates
Average actual premium rates (% of payroll)
Annual change in average actual premium rate (%)
1.2.1 Average actual premium rates - 1992/93 to 2012/13
Increasing Stable Decreasing
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Actual 2.81 2.98 2.90 2.58 2.49 2.28 2.09 2.52 2.51 2.39 2.30 2.16 1.93 1.88 1.91 1.60 1.44 1.51 1.36 1.40 1.50 Recommended 3.080 3.234 2.830 2.759 2.469 2.235 2.545 3.092 2.970 2.630 2.470 2.340 2.250 2.317 2.117 1.849 1.582 1.738 1.497 1.569 1.691 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 % o f P a y ro ll
Year ending 30 June
Actual Recommended 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Actual 6.0 -2.7 -11.0 -3.5 -8.4 -8.3 20.6 -0.4 -4.8 -3.9 -6.1 -10.3 -2.8 1.6 -16.2 -10.0 4.9 -9.9 2.9 7.1 Recommended 5.0 -12.5 -2.5 -10.5 -9.5 13.9 21.5 -3.9 -11.4 -6.1 -5.3 -3.8 3.0 -8.6 -12.7 -14.4 9.9 -13.9 4.8 7.8 -20.0 -15.0 -10.0 -5.0 0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 % A n n u a l C h a n g e
Explanatory notes:
Claims
Section 2: Scheme statistics
Summary
* See Glossary for definition and explanation
Claims information presented in this section refer to both finalised and unfinalised claims. As claims develop over time, there is a higher proportion of unfinalised claims in the most recent financial year (2012/13p). The 'p' indicates preliminary data for this year.
The information presented on claims data refers to the financial year in which the claim was lodged with the insurer. This may not be in the same financial year in which the injury or disease actually occurred.
Overview
Between 2009/10 and 2012/13, the number of claims increased by 2.2%.
During the same period, claims with no lost time fell by 5.7% while the
number of lost time claims increased by 11.9%. The proportion of
long duration claims (60 days or more lost time) has steadily
increased, as has the frequency rate.
Total adjusted (real) claim payments, consisting of direct compensation
and service payments, increased by 6% in the reference period.
This is largely due to an increase in the number of lost time claims,
especially long duration claims.
Direct compensation payments (e.g. income payment and lump sum)
consistently accounted for more than 60% of total real claim payments.
Except for common law payments, other forms of direct payments
slowly increased between 2009/10 and 2012/13. Medical and hospital
payments slighly varied over the four year period while other types of service
payments have remained stable.
A decrease in claim lodgement time, combined with increasing percentage of liability decisions
made within the required time, indicate an overall improvement in early claims management by
employers and insurers. However, it has taken longer for insurers to finalise claims.
Continuance rates, which measure the number of claimants receiving weekly payments at
different claim development periods (three, six and twelve months), remained stable.
Of all lost time claims lodged in 2012/13, 70.2% of workers had returned to work by
31 December 2013, either in full or partial capacity.
The proportion of claims finalised by way of section 92(f) deeds rose over the past four years,
while the proportion of claims finalised through Memorandum of Agreements decreased.
Settlement payments followed the same trend.
2)
Schem
e S
ta
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p Trend^
2.1.0 Number of claims* by days lost
0 days 20,113 20,168 20,450 18,963 1 - 4 days 4,358 4,539 4,552 4,096 5 - 19 days 5,178 5,361 5,378 5,389 20 - 59 days 3,037 3,228 3,435 3,390 60 - 119 days 1,408 1,574 1,594 1,822 120 - 179 days 608 712 782 1,070 180+ days 1,891 2,124 2,530 2,666 Total 36,593 37,706 38,721 37,396 ^ Legend:
* See Glossary for definition and explanation Scheme statistics
Section 2: Scheme statistics
Claim numbers
* Data for claim numbers and costs is subject to revision as claims mature.
2.1.1 Number of claims lodged by lost time
Increasing Stable Decreasing
36,593 37,706 38,721 37,396 20,113 20,168 20,450 18,963 16,480 17,538 18,271 18,433 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 45,000 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p N u m b e r o f c laim s
Insurer received year
2.1.3 Frequency rate* of lost time claims
2.1.4 Percentage of lost time* claims by days lost group
2.1.5 Percentage of lost time claims by days lost group 2009/10 - 2012/13p
* See Glossary for definition and explanation
Section 2: Scheme statistics
Claim numbers
76.3% 74.9% 73.1% 69.8% 23.7% 25.1% 26.9% 30.2% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p % o f los t tim e c laim sInsurer received year
1-59 days lost 60+ days lost 24.8% 30.1% 18.5% 9.0% 4.5% 13.0% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 1-4 days 5-19 days 20-59 days 60-119 days 120-179 days 180+ days
% of lost time claims
N u m b e r o f d a y s los t 9.0 9.3 8.9 8.7 6.9 6.9 6.5 6.1 2.1 2.3 2.4 2.6 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p C laim s p e r m illi o n h o u rs w o rk e d
Insurer received year
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p Trend^
2.2.0 Claim payments* (unadjusted) Direct compensation* ($m)
Income payment 219.45 242.00 269.85 315.01
Lump sum - excl common law 115.71 109.81 132.34 155.51
Common law payment 87.31 78.34 68.71 59.34
Service payments* ($m)
Medical and hospital 94.50 98.38 113.85 117.98
Allied health & vocational rehabilitation 56.65 60.98 68.32 74.68
Legal & miscellaneous payment 64.81 72.72 80.89 85.30
Total 638.43 662.22 733.96 807.81
2.2.1 Claim payments* (adjusted) Direct compensation ($m)
Income payment 270.80 280.47 294.95 325.72
Lump sum - excl common law 142.79 127.27 144.65 160.80
Common law payment 107.74 90.79 75.10 61.36
Service payments ($m)
Medical and hospital 116.61 114.02 124.44 121.99
Allied health & vocational rehabilitation 69.91 70.67 74.67 77.22
Legal & miscellaneous payment 79.98 84.28 88.41 88.20
Total 787.82 767.51 802.22 835.28
^ Legend:
2.2.2 Total claim payments (adjusted) by payment type group
* See Glossary for definition and explanation
Section 2: Scheme statistics
Claim payments
Scheme statistics
Increasing Stable Decreasing
2.2.3 Percentage of claim payments by payment type group
2.2.4 Percentage of claim payments by payment type - Direct compensation
2.2.5 Percentage of claim payments by payment type - Service payments
Section 2: Scheme statistics
Claim payments
66% 65% 64% 66% 34% 35% 36% 34% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p % o f c laim p a y m e n ts Transaction year Direct compensation Service payment 52% 56% 57% 59% 27% 26% 28% 29% 21% 18% 15% 11% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p % o f c laim p a y m e n ts Transaction year Income paymentLump sum - excl common law
Common law payment
44% 42% 43% 42% 26% 26% 26% 27% 30% 31% 31% 31% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p % o f c laim p a y m e n ts Transaction year
Medical and hospital
Allied health & vocational rehabilitation
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p Trend^
2.3.0 Claim costs*
Claim costs by days lost ($m)
1 - 4 days 9.2 8.8 9.2 9.9 5 - 19 days 31.1 33.7 34.4 36.6 20 - 59 days 63.9 70.9 72.5 77.5 60 - 119 days 64.0 73.7 75.7 89.6 120 - 179 days 46.7 53.9 60.8 89.3 180+ days 354.7 421.9 490.8 421.9 Total 569.7 662.8 743.3 724.8
Average claim costs by days lost ($)
1 - 4 days 2,108 1,934 2,015 2,409 5 - 19 days 6,006 6,295 6,404 6,783 20 - 59 days 21,046 21,951 21,092 22,873 60 - 119 days 45,468 46,813 47,463 49,185 120 - 179 days 76,846 75,685 77,770 83,456 180+ days 187,585 198,625 193,987 158,250 Total 34,567 37,794 40,683 39,319 ^ Legend:
2.3.1 Costs of lost time claims by days lost
Section 2: Scheme statistics
Claim costs
* Data for claim numbers and costs is subject to revision as claims mature. Scheme statistics
Increasing Stable Decreasing
569.7 662.8 743.3 724.8 465.5 549.5 627.3 600.8 104.2 113.4 116.1 124.0 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p $ m illi o n s
Insurer received year
2.3.2 Percentage of claim costs by days lost
2.3.3 Percentage of claims and costs by days lost 2009/10 - 2012/13p
2.3.4 Percentage of claims and costs by days lost 2009/10 - 2012/13p
Section 2: Scheme statistics
Claim costs
73.4% 26.6% 16.9% 83.1% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% < 60 days >= 60 days % o f c laim s / c o s tsNumber of days lost
Claims Costs 24.8% 30.1% 18.5% 9.0% 4.5% 13.0% 1.4% 5.0% 10.5% 11.2% 9.3% 62.6% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 1-4 days 5-19 days 20-59 days 60-119 days 120-179 days 180+ days % of claims / costs N u m b e r o f d a y s los t Claims Costs 18.3% 17.1% 15.6% 17.1% 81.7% 82.9% 84.4% 82.9% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p % o f c laim c o s ts
Insurer received year
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p Trend^
2.4.0 Claim management
Average time between injury and lodgement of claim with employer (days)
Disease income claims 65 53 51 48
Injury income claims 17 17 17 17
All income claims 22 20 20 20
Average time between employer receiving claim and lodging with insurer (days)
All income claims 6.2 5.8 5.3 5.4
Percentage of liability confirmations* made within the required time - pending claims excluded
All income claims 93 94 94 96
Average time between lodgement of claim with insurer and finalisation of claim (months)
All income claims 7.2 6.9 7.1 7.3
^ Legend:
2.4.1 Average time between injury and lodgement of claim with employer (days)
* See Glossary for definition and further explanation
Section 2: Scheme statistics
Claim management
Scheme statistics
Increasing Stable Decreasing
65 53 51 48 17 17 17 17 22 20 20 20 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p N u m b e r o f d a y s
Insurer received year
2.4.2 Average time between employer receiving claim and lodging with insurer (days)
2.4.3 Percentage of liability decisions* made within the required time - pending claims excluded
2.4.4 Average time between lodgement of claim with insurer and finalisation of claim (months)
* See Glossary for definition and explanation
Section 2: Scheme statistics
Claim management
6.2 5.8 5.3 5.4 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p N u m b e r o f d a y sInsurer received year
92.7 93.8 94.3 95.6 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p % o f inc o m e c laim s
Insurer received year
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p Trend^
2.4.5 Continuance rates*
Number of claims receiving weekly payments
one month after claim lodgement 5,455 6,139 6,600 6,643 Number of claims receiving weekly payments
three months after claim lodgement 3,538 4,076 4,287 4,367 Number of claims receiving weekly payments six
months after claim lodgement 2,556 2,921 3,136 3,038 Number of claims receiving weekly payments
twelve months after claim lodgement 1,614 1,801 1,982 n/a
Three-month continuance rate* 64.9% 66.4% 65.0% 65.7%
Six-month continuance rate* 46.9% 47.6% 47.5% 45.7%
Twelve-month continuance rate* 29.6% 29.3% 30.0% n/a
^ Legend:
2.4.6 Continuance rates 2009/10 - 2012/13p
* See Glossary for definition and further explanation Scheme statistics
Section 2: Scheme statistics
Claim management
Increasing Stable Decreasing
64.9% 66.4% 65.0% 65.7% 46.9% 47.6% 47.5% 45.7% 29.6% 29.3% 30.0% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 C o n tinu a n c e r a te %
Insurer received year
Three-Month Continuance Rate
Six-Month Continuance Rate
2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p 2.4.7a Work Status* (as at 31 January 2014)
All claims (no lost time and lost time)
Maintained at work 51.1% 50.3% 48.1%
Returned to work (full or partial hours) 34.6% 34.9% 34.6%
Not working 13.0% 13.5% 15.5%
Return to work status unknown 1.4% 1.4% 1.7%
2.4.7b Return to Work Status* (as at 31 January 2014) Lost time claims
Returned to work (full or partial hours) 74.3% 73.8% 70.2%
Not working 23.8% 24.5% 27.8%
Return to work status unknown 1.8% 1.7% 2.0%
2.4.9 Return to Work Status - lost time claims lodged 2012/13p
* See Glossary for definition and further explanation
Section 2: Scheme statistics
Claim management
2.4.8 Work Status - all claims lodged 2012/13p
Claim lodgement year Scheme statistics 48.1% 30.9% 3.7% 14.7% 0.9% 1.7% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Maintained at work Return to work - full hours Return to work - partial hours Not working - injury related Not working - other reason Return to work status unknown
% of claims 62.6% 7.6% 26.6% 1.3% 2.0% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Return to work - full hours
Return to work - partial hours
Not working - injury related
Not working - other reason
Return to work status unknown
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12* 2012/13p Trend^
2.5.0 Disputes
Number of disputes lodged 1,472 1,864 1,612 n/a*
Disputation rate 2.5% 3.1% 2.5% n/a*
^ Legend:
* Data for 2011/12 is excluded due to the legislative change of the conciliation and arbitration functions on 1 December 2011. Given the vast differences in the old and new systems, the dispute data across the four year period is not comparable. For this reason, the trend of dispute activities is not analysed.
2.5.1 Number of disputes lodged
2.5.2 Disputation rate
Section 2: Scheme statistics
Disputes
Scheme statistics
Increasing Stable Decreasing
1,472 1,864 1,612 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12* 2012/13p N u m b e r o f d is p u te s
Dispute application year
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 Trend^
2.6.0 Settlements
Settlements as a proportion of finalised claims
Memorandum of Agreements 9.8% 9.3% 9.5% 9.5% Section 92(f) deeds 3.0% 3.1% 3.6% 4.1% Total 12.7% 12.4% 13.1% 13.6% Settlement payments ($m) Memorandum of Agreements 127.2 112.6 113.0 109.5 Section 92(f) deeds 83.5 79.5 86.3 99.0 Total 210.7 192.1 199.3 208.5 ^ Legend:
2.6.1 Settlements as a proportion of finalised claims
2.6.2 Settlement payments
Section 2: Scheme statistics
Settlements
Scheme statistics
Increasing Stable Decreasing
9.8% 9.3% 9.5% 9.5% 3.0% 3.1% 3.6% 4.1% 0.0% 2.0% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0% 12.0% 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 S e tt lem e n t ra te Finalisation year Memorandum of Agreements Section 92(f) deeds 127.2 112.6 113.0 109.5 83.5 79.5 86.3 99.0 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0 120.0 140.0 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 $ m illi o n s
Settlement recording year
Section 3: Claimant characteristics
Summary
Explanatory notes:
ClaimsInformation presented in this section refers to both finalised and unfinalised claims. Given that claims develop over time, there is a higher proportion of unfinalised claims in the most recent financial year (2012/13p). The 'p' indicates preliminary data for this year.
Industry
Industry classifications are based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) which is published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). From 1 July 2009, a new ANZSIC version (2006) was used to classify industries.
Occupation
Occupational classifications are based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations
(ANZSCO) which has been used from 1 July 2009 to code occupations from claims data.
Overview
Similar to previous years, males have higher number of claims and
claim frequency rate than females. The frequency rate for male workers slightly decreased after peaking at 10.1 claims per million hours worked
in 2010/11. Frequency rate for female workers decreased by approximately 4% over the past four years.
Between 2009/10 and 2012/13, workers in the 15-19 and 60-64 year
age groups had the highest frequency rate of lost time claims. Statistics also show as workers age, the duration of claims tend to be longer.
The risks associated with different industries are evident in the number of claims and frequency rates. Over the past four years, the highest number of claims and
proportion of lost time claims were associated with manual labour and high risk industries such as Construction (15.2%), Health care and social assistance (13.9%), Manufacturing (13.7%) and
Mining (8.7%).
Technicians and trades workers, labourers and machinery operator and drivers accounted for 66.8% of lost time claims in 2012/13. In contrast,
white collar workers occupied the lowest proportion of
claims,
for example sales staff (4.5%), clerical and administrative workers (4.0%) and managers (2.5%).3)
Claim
ant chara
ct
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p Trend^
3.1.0 Number of lost time claims by claimant gender Male 1 - 4 days 2,892 3,019 3,111 2,705 5 - 19 days 3,545 3,748 3,775 3,686 20 - 59 days 2,158 2,286 2,430 2,396 60 - 119 days 953 1,082 1,077 1,229 120 - 179 days 393 442 496 660 180+ days 1,085 1,277 1,555 1,754 Total 11,026 11,854 12,444 12,430 Female 1 - 4 days 1,466 1,520 1,441 1,391 5 - 19 days 1,633 1,613 1,603 1,703 20 - 59 days 879 942 1,005 994 60 - 119 days 455 492 517 593 120 - 179 days 215 270 286 410 180+ days 806 847 975 912 Total 5,454 5,684 5,827 6,003 ^ Legend:
3.1.1 Number of lost time claims by claimant gender
Section 3: Claimant characteristics
Gender
Claimant characteristics
Increasing Stable Decreasing
11,026 11,854 12,444 12,430 5,454 5,684 5,827 6,003 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p N u m b e r o f los t tim e c laim s
Insurer received year
3.1.2 Frequency of lost time claims by claimant gender
3.1.3 Proportion of lost time claims by gender 2009/10 - 2012/13p
Section 3: Claimant characteristics
Gender
9.7 10.1 9.8 9.3 7.9 8.0 7.6 7.6 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p Fr e q u e n c y r a teInsurer received year
Male Female 69% 63% 31% 37% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
1-59 days lost 60+ days lost
% o f los t tim e c laim s
Number of days lost
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p Trend^
3.2.0 Number of lost time claims by age group
15 - 19 years 878 1,005 1,045 891 20 - 24 years 1,780 1,938 1,946 2,012 25 - 34 years 3,261 3,538 3,799 3,961 35 - 44 years 3,771 3,934 4,118 4,010 45 - 54 years 4,156 4,328 4,369 4,381 55 - 59 years 1,479 1,513 1,642 1,644 60 - 64 years 916 983 1,029 1,145 65+ years 228 290 318 379
3.2.1 Frequency rate by age group
15 - 19 years 9.7 11.0 11.4 9.9 20 - 24 years 8.3 9.3 8.6 8.8 25 - 34 years 7.6 7.6 7.5 7.2 35 - 44 years 9.0 9.1 8.8 8.3 45 - 54 years 10.0 10.4 9.6 9.6 55 - 59 years 10.0 10.1 9.7 9.7 60 - 64 years 11.0 10.3 11.5 11.3 65+ years 9.2 9.0 8.4 10.1 ^ Legend:
3.2.2 Total number of lost time claims by age group 2009/10 - 2012/13p
Section 3: Claimant characteristics
Age
Claimant characteristics
Increasing Stable Decreasing
3.2.3 Frequency rate of lost time claims by age group 2009/10 - 2012/13p
3.2.4 Percentage of lost time claims by age group 2009/10 - 2012/13p
Section 3: Claimant characteristics
Age
89% 84% 78% 71% 68% 67% 66% 65% 11% 16% 22% 29% 32% 33% 34% 35% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 15-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-59 60-64 65+ % o f los t tim e c laim s Age groupClaimant characteristics 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p 3.3.0 Number of lost time claims by industry
Manufacturing 2,473 2,618 2,658 2,528 Construction 2,088 2,572 2,746 2,802 Health care and social assistance 2,478 2,484 2,459 2,554 Retail trade 1,342 1,469 1,295 1,353 Mining 1,017 1,159 1,409 1,596 Education and training 1,205 1,331 1,273 1,328 Transport, postal and warehousing 1,128 1,140 1,251 1,206
Accommodation and food services 715 745 900 882
Public administration and safety 698 692 728 779
Wholesale trade 558 611 737 739
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 727 622 627 593
Other services 538 482 493 469
Arts and recreation services 390 424 445 418
Administrative and support services 362 399 431 329
Professional, scientific and technical services 251 270 351 304
Rental, hiring and real estate services 198 214 178 218
Electricity, gas, water and waste services 188 188 187 214
Financial and insurance services 55 57 60 55
Information media and telecommunications 69 61 43 53
Unknown Industry - - - 13 Grand Total 16,480 17,538 18,271 18,433
3.3.1 Percentage of lost time claims by industry 2012/13p
Section 3: Claimant characteristics
Industry
0.3% 0.3% 1.2% 1.2% 1.6% 1.8% 2.3% 2.5% 3.2% 4.0% 4.2% 4.8% 6.5% 7.2% 7.3% 8.7% 13.7% 13.9% 15.2% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16%Information media and telecommunications Financial and insurance services Electricity, gas, water and waste services Rental, hiring and real estate services Professional, scientific and technical services Administrative and support services Arts and recreation services Other services Agriculture, forestry and fishing Wholesale trade Public administration and safety Accommodation and food services Transport, postal and warehousing Education and training Retail trade Mining Manufacturing Health care and social assistance Construction
3.3.2 Frequency rate of lost time claims by industry 2012/13p
Section 3: Claimant characteristics
Industry
15.1 13.6 13.0 12.8 12.6 11.6 10.1 9.2 8.9 8.7 7.6 7.4 6.1 6.0 5.8 5.3 3.2 2.4 1.8 1.1 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Manufacturing Arts and recreation services Health care and social assistance Construction Transport, postal and warehousing Agriculture, forestry and fishing Wholesale trade Education and training Accommodation and food services All industry average Public administration and safety Retail trade Mining Rental, hiring and real estate services Other services Electricity, gas, water and waste services Administrative and support services Information media and telecommunications Professional, scientific and technical services Financial and insurance servicesClaimant characteristics 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p
3.4.0 Number of lost time claims by occupation
Technicians and trades workers 4,132 4,627 4,910 5,013 Labourers 3,867 4,161 4,177 4,089 Machinery operators and drivers 2,624 2,755 3,229 3,199 Community and personal service workers 2,626 2,607 2,556 2,657 Professionals 1,340 1,369 1,381 1,438
Sales workers 826 955 813 833
Clerical and administrative workers 692 691 743 733
Managers 373 373 462 458
Unknown Occupation - - - 13 Total 16,480 17,538 18,271 18,433
3.4.1 Percentage of lost time claims by occupation 2012/13p
Section 3: Claimant characteristics
Occupation
0.1% 2.5% 4.0% 4.5% 7.8% 14.4% 17.4% 22.2% 27.2% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% Unknown Occupation Managers Clerical and administrative workers Sales workers Professionals Community and personal service workers Machinery operators and drivers Labourers Technicians and trades workersSection 4: Injury/disease attributes
Summary
Mechanism of injury/disease
Agency of injury/disease
Information presented in this section refers to both finalised and unfinalised claims. Given that claims develop over time, there is a higher proportion of unfinalised claims in the most recent financial year (2012/13p). The 'p' indicates preliminary data for this year.
Safe Work Australia's Type of Occurrence Classification System, 3rd edition revision 1 (TOOCS v3) is used to describe attributes of work-related injuries and diseases sustained by workers who lodge workers' compensation claims. Since 1 July 2009, TOOCS v3 has been used to classify the following:
Nature of injury/disease
Bodily location of injury/disease
Injury/disease classifications Claims
Explanatory notes:
For the indicator relating to work-related fatalities, both no lost time and lost time injury and disease claims are reported.
For all other indicators, only lost time injury and lost time disease claims are reported.
M
Overview
On average, 91.5% of lost time claims resulted from work-related injuries,
with the remaining 8.5% arose out of work-related diseases. Musculoskeletal conditions are the most common causes for injuries/diseases, accounting for
58.3% of all lost time claims.
Predominant causes of work-related injuries or diseases are due to:
body stressing (38.8%)
falls, trips and slips (23.3%)
being hit by moving objects (20.3%).
Injuries predominantly occured on the upper limbs (36.0%), followed by lower limbs (23.3%) and trunk of the body (22.2%).
2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 Trend^ 4.1.0 Number of lost time claims by level of incapacity*
Temporary Incapacity 13,847 12,835 13,670 14,595 Permanent incapacity - Partial 3,450 3,382 3,579 3,370 Permanent incapacity - Total 237 243 255 220 No incapacity at any time 12 19 32 84 Total 17,546 16,479 17,536 18,269
^ Legend:
* The incapacity data excludes work-related fatalities. Given insurers usually report the incapacity status when a claim is finalised, the data is presented to 2011/12 in this report to allow an additional year lag for the claims to mature.
4.1.1 Percentage of lost time claims by level of incapacity* 2008/09 - 2011/12
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 Trend^ 4.1.2 Number of work-related fatalities
Work-related fatalities 16 32 18 32
4.1.3 Number of work-related fatalities 2009/10 - 2012/13p Injury attributes
Section 4: Injury/disease attributes
Level of incapacity
Injury attributes
Increasing Stable Decreasing
78.7% 19.7% 1.4% 0.2% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% Temporary Incapacity
Permanent incapacity - Partial
Permanent incapacity - Total
No incapacity at any time
% of lost time claims
16 32 18 32 0 10 20 30 40 50 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p N u m b e r o f w o rk -r e la te d f a ta lit ie s
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p
4.2.0 Number of lost time claims by nature of injury or disease
Lost time injury 15,045 16,053 16,824 16,862 Traumatic joint/ligament and muscle/tendon injury 8,769 9,541 9,977 10,156 Wounds, lacerations, amputations and internal organ damage 3,806 3,924 3,958 3,714
Fractures 1,520 1,567 1,781 1,952
Other injuries 491 547 610 491
Burn 366 357 403 420
Intracranial injuries 93 117 95 129
Lost time disease 1,435 1,485 1,447 1,571 Musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases 510 530 536 593
Mental diseases 416 494 427 512
Digestive system diseases 235 225 233 215
Nervous system and sense organ diseases 129 114 122 121
Skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases 83 59 67 64
Infectious and parasitic diseases 20 20 24 27
Other diseases 17 22 18 17
Respiratory system diseases 18 11 13 11
Circulatory system diseases 7 10 7 11
4.2.1 Percentage of lost time claims by nature of injury or disease 2012/13p
Section 4: Injury/disease attributes
Nature
Injury attributes 55.1% 20.1% 10.6% 3.2% 2.8% 2.7% 2.3% 1.2% 0.7% 0.7% 0.3% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%Traumatic joint/ligament and muscle/tendon injury Wounds, lacerations, amputations and internal organ damage Fractures Musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases Mental diseases Other injuries Burn Digestive system diseases Intracranial injuries Nervous system and sense organ diseases Skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases Infectious and parasitic diseases Other diseases Circulatory system diseases Respiratory system diseases
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p
4.3.0 Number of lost time claims by bodily location of injury or disease
Upper limbs 5,789 6,226 6,579 6,629
Trunk 4,015 4,125 4,239 4,094
Lower limbs 3,643 3,857 4,129 4,294 Multiple/unspecified locations 1,248 1,389 1,448 1,495
Head 1,022 1,053 1,040 1,010
Non physical locations 416 494 427 512 Neck 244 303 298 296 Systemic locations 103 91 111 103 Total 16,480 17,538 18,271 18,433
4.3.1 Percentage of lost time claims by bodily location of injury or disease 2012/13p
Section 4: Injury/disease attributes
Bodily location
Injury attributes 36.0% 23.3% 22.2% 8.1% 5.5% 2.8% 1.6% 0.6% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% Upper limbs Lower limbs Trunk Multiple/unspecified locations HeadNon physical locations
Neck
Systemic locations
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p
4.4.0 Number of lost time claims by mechansim of injury or disease
Body stressing 6,462 6,824 7,093 7,144 Falls trips and slips of a person 3,673 3,963 4,228 4,287 Being hit by moving objects 3,410 3,725 3,854 3,733 Hitting objects with a part of the body 1,387 1,390 1,370 1,467
Other and unspecified mechanisms of incident 444 459 519 521
Mental stress 415 486 426 512
Heat electricity and other environmental factors 325 305 387 383
Chemicals and other substances 276 287 306 287
Biological factors 66 67 71 74
Sound and pressure 22 32 17 25 Total 16,480 17,538 18,271 18,433
4.4.1 Percentage of lost time claims by mechanism of injury or disease 2012/13p
Section 4: Injury/disease attributes
Mechanism
Injury attributes 38.8% 23.3% 20.3% 8.0% 2.8% 2.8% 2.1% 1.6% 0.4% 0.1% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% Body stressing Falls trips and slips of a person Being hit by moving objects Hitting objects with a part of the body Other and unspecified mechanisms of incident Mental stress Heat electricity and other environmental factors Chemicals and other substances Biological factors Sound and pressure2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p
4.5.0 Number of lost time claims by agency of injury or disease
Non powered handtools appliances and equipment 3,722 4,038 4,241 4,225 Environmental agencies 3,456 3,828 4,064 4,197 Materials and substances 2,817 3,130 3,179 3,040 Mobile plant and transport 1,605 1,554 1,785 1,800 Animal human and biological agencies 1,697 1,650 1,626 1,683 Other and unspecified agencies 1,235 1,290 1,282 1,419 Powered equipment tools and appliances 846 960 993 1,022 Machinery and mainly fixed plant 855 852 868 830 Chemicals and chemical products 247 236 233 217 Total 16,480 17,538 18,271 18,433
4.5.1 Percentage of lost time claims by agency of injury or disease 2012/13p
Section 4: Injury/disease attributes
Agency
Injury attributes 22.9% 22.8% 16.5% 9.8% 9.1% 7.7% 5.5% 4.5% 1.2% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%Non powered handtools appliances and equipment Environmental agencies Materials and substances Mobile plant and transport Animal human and biological agencies Other and unspecified agencies Powered equipment tools and appliances Machinery and mainly fixed plant Chemicals and chemical products
Section 5: Sprains and strains claims
Summary
Overview
Sprains and strains are the most common work-related injury, responsible for over 50% of all
lost time claims in the Western Australia workers' compensation scheme. These type of injuries
and diseases often involve slow recovery and are susceptible to recurrence, resulting in high
economic impact on the workers' compensation scheme.
Although the incidence and frequency rates have improved over the past three years, sprains
and strains continue to incur significant costs. In 2012/13, payments associated with sprains
and strains claims accounted for more than 50% of Western Australia's total lost time workers'
compensation claims payments.
This section provides information regarding the extent and characteristics of sprains and
strains related lost time claims.
This information may assist in:
understanding the key trends in relation to sprains and strains claims;
identifying industries and groups of workers that may be at high risk of sprains and
strains injuries and diseases; and
forming incidence prevention and injury management strategies.
Profile of sprains and strains lost time claims 2012/13
5) Spra
in
s
and s
tra
in
s
cla
ims
All lost-time claimsSprains and strains lost-time
claims
Number of claims 18,433 9,878 (53.6%)
Total claim cost $724.8m $418.0m (57.7%)
Total days lost 1,410,849 days 844,149 days (59.8%)
Average claim cost $39,319 $42,314
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p Grand Total Number of sprains and strains lost time claims
Sprains and strains lost time claims 8,578 9,349 9,728 9,878 37,533 All lost time claims 16,480 17,538 18,271 18,433 70,722
Percentage of sprains and strains claims 52.1% 53.3% 53.2% 53.6% 53.1%
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p Grand Total Average days lost and claim cost of sprains and strains claims
Average days lost 81 87 92 85 86 Average claim costs $ 37,349 40,546 44,019 42,314 41,181
Section 5: Sprains and strains claims
Claim numbers and costs
Between 2010/11 and 2012/13, the incidence rate for sprains and strains claims reduced from 0.85 to 0.81 claims per hundred employees. During the same period the frequency rate reduced from 4.94 claims per million hours worked in 2010/11 to 4.65 claims per million hours worked in 2012/13.
0.80 0.85 0.84 0.81 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p In c ide n c e r a te
Insurer received year
4.70 4.94 4.76 4.65 0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p Fr e q u e n c y r a te
Insurer received year
$41,181
86 days $38,186
76 days
Average claim cost Average days lost
Sprains and strains claims All lost time claims
On average, over 50% of all workers' compensation lost time claims were associated with sprains and strains. The number of claims steadily increased between 2009/10 and 2012/13.
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p Grand Total Number of claims based on bodily locations
Trunk 3,080 3,270 3,304 3,211 12,865 Upper limbs 2,342 2,556 2,741 2,747 10,386 Lower limbs 2,145 2,347 2,463 2,641 9,596 Multiple locations 798 932 971 1,026 3,727 Neck 202 237 240 251 930 Head 11 7 9 2 29 Total 8,578 9,349 9,728 9,878 37,533
Common sprains and strains claims based on bodily locations between 2009/10 and 2012/13
The picture below illustrates the bodily locations that are most commonly affected by sprains and strains, for claims lodged between 2009/10 and 2012/13. The lower or upper back is the predominant area for sprains and strains claims (31.7%), followed by shoulder (13.7%) and knee (12.6%). In some circumstances, sprains and strains can be
serious, involving multiple parts of the body (9.9% of all sprains and strains claims).
Number of sprains and strains claims by mechanism of injury or disease - 2012/13
Section 5: Sprains and strains claims
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p Grand Total Claim payments ($m) - sprains and strains claims (adjusted)
Income payment 154.03 161.30 172.39 196.20 683.92
Lump sum - excl common law 71.86 64.80 73.09 75.37 285.13
Common law payment 30.50 30.20 24.89 22.91 108.50
Medical and hospital 48.25 49.46 53.37 56.15 207.23
Allied health & vocational rehabilitation 38.21 39.48 42.19 44.80 164.68
Legal & miscellaneous payment 33.56 34.99 37.85 37.95 144.36
Total 376.41 380.23 403.78 433.39 1593.81
Number of sprains and strains claims by mechanism of injury or disease - 2012/13p Mechanism of injury/disease
Body stressing 6,177 -Falls, trips and slips of a person 2,584
Being hit by moving objects 627
-Other factors 490
Section 5: Sprains and strains claims
Claim payments and mechanism of injury
42.9% 17.9% 6.8% 13.0% 10.3% 9.1% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% Income payment Lump sum - excl common law Common law payment Medical and hospital Allied health & vocational rehabilitation Legal & miscellaneous payment
% of claims payments
Between 2009/10 and 2012/13, nearly $1.6 billion was paid for sprains and strains claims, with an average of $398 million per year. Over the past four years, total payments for sprains and strains claims accounted for 51.9% of all lost time claim payments.
Between 2009/10 and 2012/13, almost half (42.9%) of the costs for sprains and strains claims were income payments, while medical and allied health services payments accounted for 23.3% of the total payments.
Frequency rate for sprains and strains claims by gender
2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13p Female 4.70 4.75 4.60 4.44 Male 4.71 5.06 4.86 4.78
Frequency rate for sprains and strains claims by gender and age - 2012/13p
Proportion of sprains and strains claims by industry and occupation - 2012/13p
Section 5: Sprains and strains claims
Claimant characteristics
Statistics show that male workers tend to have a higher frequency rate for sprains and strains claims. In 2012/13, the frequency rate for male workers was 4.78 claims per million hours worked compared to 4.44 claims per million hours worked for female workers.
For both male and female workers, the frequency rate increases from age 25 until the early 60s. 17.6% 14.4% 10.9% 9.5% 0% 10% 20% 30%
Health care and social assistance
Construction Manufacturing Mining % of claims 22.5% 20.9% 19.9% 17.2% 0% 10% 20% 30%
Technicians and trades workers Labourers Machinery operators and drivers Community and personal service workers
% of claims 2.2 2.9 2.9 4.5 6.4 5.9 6.5 5.6 3.9 4.2 4.0 4.8 5.3 5.5 6.8 6.0 15-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-59 60-64 65+ Age group Female Male
In 2012/13, Health care and social assistance industry had the highest risk for sprains and strains incidences, accounting for 17.6% of all sprains and strains lost time claims. Other industries with high numbers of sprains and strains claims include Construction (14.4%), Manufacturing (10.9%) and Mining (9.5%).
In 2012/13, technicians and trades workers accounted for 22.5% of sprains and strains claims, followed by labourers (20.9%), machinery operators and drivers (19.9%) and community and personal service workers (17.2%).
TERM Accident year Act Age Agency of occurrence Average cost Bodily location Body stressing Claimant Claim costs Claims data Claim management
Claim payments Categories are based on WorkCover WA’s Guidelines for Completing Form WC 101. Claim payments are in contrast with claims data as they do not reflect liabilities incurred but not yet paid. Claim payment information is collated based on the financial year during which payment was made, regardless of when the claim was lodged with the insurer (continued below).
The Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 requires:
an employer to lodge a claim with the insurer within five working days of receiving a claim form and first medical certificate (was three working days up to 30 September 2011).
an approved insurer to give a worker and the respective employer notice of a decision on a lodged workers' compensation claim (e.g. accepted, disputed or pending) within 14 days.
a self-insurer to give a worker and the respective employer notice of a decision on a lodged workers' compensation claim within 17 days.
Section 6: Glossary
DEFINITION / EXPLANATION OF TERMAccident year refers to the financial year in which the work-related injury or disease occurred or when symptoms of the work-related illness or disease were first recognised, irrespective of when the claim was reported, paid or finalised.
Based on chronological age (in years) at the date of injury or disease.
The agency of occurrence refers to the object, substance or circumstance that was principally involved in or most closely associated with the point at which things started to go wrong and which ultimately led to the most serious injury or disease. A comprehensive list of inclusions and
exclusions for this classification is available from Safe Work Australia Type of Occurrence
Classification System 3rd edition, version 1 (available online at safeworkaustralia.gov.au).
The average cost represents an estimate of costs for unfinalised claims, plus the total cost of finalised claims, divided by the number of claims. Average cost is attributed to the year in which a claim was lodged and is associated with claims data.
Identifies the part of the body affected by the most serious injury or disease. A comprehensive list of inclusions and exclusions for this classification is available from Safe Work Australia Type of
Occurrence Classification System 3rd edition, version 1 (available online at
safeworkaustralia.gov.au).
Injuries or disorders that result from stress placed on muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones. For further information refer to Safe Work Australia Type of Occurrence Classification System 3rd
edition, version 1 (available online at safeworkaustralia.gov.au).
Refers to a person who lodges a claim in the WA workers' compensation scheme.
Represents an estimate of costs for unfinalised claims, and total cost of finalised claims attributed to the year in which a claim was lodged. It should be noted that claim costs are subject to revision as claims experience matures; this is especially true for more recent years. Claim costs are not adjusted for inflation.
Information pertaining to workers’ compensation claims is reported to WorkCover WA by approved insurers and self-insurers. Information is collated based on the financial year in which a claim was lodged with the insurer. For the purposes of this report, certain types of claims were excluded: • lost time journey claims between home and work
• asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma and pneumoconiosis • duplicated or disallowed (by an insurer).
It should be noted that claim numbers are subject to revision as claims experience matures; this is especially true for more recent years.
TERM
Service payments:
1. medical and hospital payments:
- hospital expenses (hospital accommodation and hospital treatment) 2. allied health and vocational rehabilitation payments:
3. legal and miscellaneous payments
Common law payment
Continuance rate
Days lost
Dispute
- fatal payments including funeral expenses - common law and other Acts payments.
- medical practitioner and specialist payments (consultation and treatment expenses rendered by general practitioners and medical specialists)
- other treatment and appliance payments (comprises payments made under clauses 17(1)(3), (4), (5) and (6) of Schedule 1 of the Act, other than medical and hospital expenses)
- vocational rehabilitation payments (comprises payments made under clause 17 (1a) of Schedule 1 of the Act in respect of counselling, occupational training, work assessment, aids and appliances)
- legal expenses (comprises the cost of legal advice and representation incurred by approved insurers or exempt employers, witness fees and the costs of these services incurred by the worker where the approved insurer or exempt employer is ordered to meet the costs)
- miscellaneous (includes general items that do not fit in any other category, for example travelling, meals and lodgings, under clause 19 of Schedule 1).
Represents the total economic loss component of a common law settlement or judgement after deduction of amounts for contingencies and contributory negligence. Includes amounts for pain and suffering, permanent impairment, loss of superannuation, legal expenses and future medical costs.
This indicator monitors claims over time from the date a claim was lodged with an insurer. The continuance rate shows the number of claims involving weekly income replacement payments at three months, six months and twelve months as a proportion of claims involving weekly income replacement payments at one month. This indicator provides insight into claim duration and scheme exits.
Is defined as the number of hours off work divided by the number of hours usually worked each day. If the claim is finalised, actual hours off work are used, otherwise if the claim is not finalised, estimated hours off work are used.
This is in relation to a dispute over a workers' compensation claim by parties involved (e.g. insurer, employer, worker). A dispute can occur at any stage of a claim in relation to a number of matters.
Please note that dispute data reported between 2007/08 and 2010/11 relates to WorkCover WA's Dispute Resolution Directorate (DRD). The DRD ceased operation on 30 November 2011 and WorkCover WA's Conciliation and Arbitration Services commenced on 1 December 2011.
Section 6: Glossary
DEFINITION / EXPLANATION OF TERMClaim payments continued
In this report, claim payments are reported both in adjusted and unadjusted formats. In relation to the former, payments are adjusted for inflation to allow for meaningful comparisons over time. Payment type groups are outlined below:
Direct compensation:
1. income payments (payments made for absences from work). 2. lump sum payments (including common law):
