Self-reported work-related injury and illness in NSW

Work-related injury/illness is an important public health issue in New South Wales. This article describes information on self-reported work-related injuries/illnesses collected as part of the 2002 NSW Health Survey Program. A total of 15.6% of employed persons reported that they had suffered an injury or illness related to work in the last 12 months. Males and younger workers were more likely to report a work-related injury/illness than females or older workers. The most common injury reported was strains and sprains of joints and adjacent muscles. Only one-quarter of respondents reporting an injury or illness reported receiving workers compensation for their injury/illness. Data sources from the health system are an important source of information for work-related injury/illness. Health survey information can complement other work-related injury/illness data sources and contribute to the current knowledge regarding the magnitude, nature and severity of work-related injury/illness in NSW.