The rate of workplace deaths in Australia has been in steady decline for the past decade, according to a new report.

Employment Minister Michaelia Cash released the Work-Related Traumatic Injury Fatalities report last week, which reveals 188 workers died last year – the lowest figure in 12 years.

Ms Cash has urged employers to continue making safety improvements.

“While a single worker fatality is one too many, the overall downward trend is a positive sign that Australian businesses and workers are committed to keeping their workplaces safe,” she said.

The worker death rate last year was 1.61 fatalities per 100,000 workers. For men the rate was 2.81 and for women it was 0.23.

More than 60% of worker deaths in the past 12 years involved a vehicle, either at the workplace or on public roads.