Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series Database (1984 - 2010)

Melbourne Institute Working Paper No. 07/2004

Do Longer Working Hours Lead to More Workplace Injuries? Evidence from Australian Industry-Level Panel Data

by

Roger Wilkins

Date: May 2004

Abstract: Using Australian industry-level data on weekly hours of work and frequency of new workers' compensation claims for work-related accidents over the 1990s, the relationship between working time and work-related injuries is examined. Results using panel data techniques suggest there is no relationship between working time of full-time workers and workplace safety performance. This finding is in contrast to cross-sectional evidence presented by previous researchers showing significant effects of working time on safety performance. Evidence is found in this study, however, that increased working time of part-time employed persons is associated with a greater rate of workplace injuries.

 

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