Despite relatively few hours worked compared to many other industries, the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry has the highest number of work-related fatalities.

The agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry has a fatality rate that is 4 times higher than the arts and recreation services industry, which has the second highest fatality rate.  The fatality rate in farming is also more than 9 times higher than the average rate across all industries.

85% of agriculture, forestry and fishing industry work-related fatalities occurred in the agriculture sector.

Between 2012 and 2022, agriculture, forestry and fishing work-related traumatic injury fatalities included:

• a tree feller fatally injured when he was struck by a tree branch
• a farmer’s existing medical condition was fatally aggravated after being kicked by an animal
• a farm worker who sustained fatal injuries when she was struck by a bull and crushed against a fence
• a farmer tragically died after experiencing a severe allergic reaction to multiple bee stings while working
• a farm hand was fatally injured when a hydraulically supported steel bucket he was working under fell
• a farmer was fatally injured after being thrown from a quad bike
• 3 workers lost their lives when the fishing vessel they were working on board sank
• a farmer suffered fatal injuries after being caught in the wool press machine he was operating.

The State of the work environment: Work-related traumatic injury fatalities in Western Australia report was produced to promote awareness of work health and safety in Western Australia. With both workers and bystanders considered for analysis, the report analyses data on traumatic injury fatalities in WA which have been determined by DEMIRS to be work-related fatalities.

A key finding of report revealed that the occupations with the highest number of work-related fatalities and highest frequency rate were in agriculture, forestry and fishing. This is despite a relatively small workforce in farming compared to many other industries.  The report also found that the leading common cause of fatalities in the farming sector was being hit by a tractor, and that 35% of work-related fatalities were in persons aged 65 years and older.

Additional resources

• Agricultural industry fatality report (June 2023)
• Industry statistical report 2023 for agriculture, forestry and fishing
• Injury statistical report  of claims for workers’ compensation in the agriculture sector