Some 787 workers were killed in truck-related incidents in the decade to 2012, accounting for 30% of all worker fatalities. 

The findings are “alarming”, according to Safe Work Australia (SWA), which published the figures in a new report.

SWA Chairman Ann Sherry says about 80 workers are killed each year working in or around trucks. Almost four in 10 die in single-vehicle crashes.

Incidents while loading or unloading vehicles account for 15% of truck-related deaths, and repair and maintenance activities comprise 7%.

However, National Transport Insurance (NTI) National Manager Industry Relations Owen Driscoll urges caution in reacting to the SWA figures.

“The [SWA] statistics don’t look particularly good, but we’ve been tracking substantial improvement in recent years,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

Since 2003 the number of major truck crashes – costing more than $50,000 – has dropped 42.7% “on a crash rate per thousand vehicles insured” basis, according to NTI’s National Truck Accident Research Centre.

Last year the number of fatal crashes involving articulated trucks fell 29.8% on the previous year, or an average of 9.9% annually over the three years to last December.

However, Mr Driscoll says NTI supports SWA’s push for improved safety in the transport and logistics sector.

“To lose one life is tragic and too much. NTI will continue its commitment to road safety outcomes through its transport-specific research centre.”

As reported in insuranceNEWS.com.au, insurance companies Suncorp/Vero, Wesfarmers Insurance and Zurich have backed a new National Transport Commission program that encourages employers to share proven road safety tips.