The question "What is an occupational accident?" is often asked by employees and employers. Occupational accidents are unexpected events that can happen to people working in various sectors both in the world and in our country, affecting the health of employees on the one hand, and negative economic consequences for workplaces on the other. As a result of a work accident, serious consequences such as injury, loss of limb and even death of the employee may occur. The inability of the employee to work due to an occupational accident causes loss of workforce and damages the production and, accordingly, the economy of the country.

Causes of work accident

Occupational accidents can be experienced due to various reasons arising from the working conditions of the workplace and the worker himself/herself.

Causes caused by the worker

Occupational accidents caused by the worker usually occur due to the unsafe behaviour of the worker in relation to his job. In other words, the fact that the worker does not have the knowledge, education, equipment, and physical competence required by his job brings with it work accidents. In particular, the lack of information on the occupational health and safety of the worker has serious negative consequences. The following situations are examples of situations that cause work accidents and are caused by the worker:

Non-compliance with work discipline,

Not using personal protective equipment,

Failure to follow instructions when using production tools,

Using production tools that he/she does not know how to use,

Entering dangerous areas without authorisation and permission,

Doing non-duty work.

In addition to these, working in tasks that are not suitable for the physiological structure of the worker in the production sector or planning the workload in a way that exceeds the physical and mental capacity also invites work accidents.

Reasons based on working conditions

Unsafe working conditions in the workplace are the most important cause of occupational accidents. Many reasons such as unsuitability of the machinery and tools used in the production sector, not taking the necessary protective measures for use or not using them for their intended purpose can cause work accidents. Examples of situations that cause work accidents and arise from working conditions can be listed as follows:

Using inappropriate tools,

Failure to provide the protective equipment necessary for the job,

Not placing warning signs for workers in areas such as pits,

Periodic maintenance and controls of production tools are not made,

Keeping materials at dangerous heights,

Not placing the necessary warning signs in the working environment,

Failure to take necessary precautions regarding explosive/flammable materials.

It should be noted that not following technological innovations is one of the most important causes of occupational accidents. Occupational accidents are more frequent in workplaces that continue to use old technology in production.

What is worker’s compensation?

A worker's compensation policy provides compensation if you are injured at work or become ill due to your job. Workplace bullying and harassment are also considered illnesses under this policy. Every employee in New South Wales is covered by the Worker's Compensation Scheme.

What benefits can you get if you make a workers' compensation claim?

When you make a worker’s compensation claim, you may be able to claim:

A weekly wage based on your incapacity to work,

Medical and rehabilitation expenses,

Travelling expenses,

Payments to help you return to work or to retrain you to return to work,

A lump sum payment for permanent impairment.

Many different factors can determine the amount of compensation you may be entitled to claim.Workers’ compensation lawyers in Sydney can help you understand your rights and access your entitlements to get your life back on track.