This is a sub-category of deaths due to external causes (Map 5) and is a form of unintentional injury.

These deaths are almost all of males with just 3% being of females and hence the map reflects the pattern for males. The SMRs tend to be highest in agricultural and industrial areas.

Most of the males who die from this cause are of working age (as seen in the age–sex bar chart). This reflects the fact that most such deaths are associated with occupations that involve using heavy machinery and these types of jobs are staffed almost exclusively by male workers. Examples of the types of machinery that can cause fatal injuries are drilling machines (for example, for building tunnels), threshing machines and baling machines (recycling plants are a recent and expanding site of such hazards).

Often the death occurs when someone is attempting to repair the machine without correctly switching off the power source.

The Health and Safety Commission is responsible for protecting people’s health and safety by ensuring risks in the changing workplace are properly controlled.