Safety and Health at Work

Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (산업안전보건연구원)
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Suicide in the Australian Mining Industry: Assessment of Rates among Male Workers Using 19 Years of Coronial Data

  • Tania King (Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne) ;
  • Humaira Maheen (Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne) ;
  • Yamna Taouk (Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne) ;
  • Anthony D. LaMontagne (Institute for Health Transformation and School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University)
  • Received : 2022.12.06
  • Accepted : 2023.03.06
  • Published : 2023.06.30
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Abstract

Background: International evidence shows that mining workers are at greater risk of suicide than other workers; however, it is not known whether this applies to the Australian mining sector. Methods: Using data from the National Coronial Information System, rates of suicide among male mining workers were compared to those of three comparators: construction workers, mining and construction workers combined, and all other workers. Age-standardized suicide rates were calculated for 2001-2019 and across three intervals '2001-2006', '2007-2011', and '2012-2019'. Incidence rate ratios for suicide were calculated to compare incidence rates for mining workers, to those of the three comparative groups. Results: The suicide rate for male mining workers in Australia was estimated to be between 11 and 25 per 100,000 (likely closer to 25 per 100,000) over the period of 2001-2019. There was also evidence that the suicide rate among mining workers is increasing, and the suicide rate among mining workers for the period 2012-2019 was significantly higher than the other worker group. Conclusions: Based on available data, we tentatively deduce that suicide mortality among male mining workers is of concern. More information is needed on both industry and occupation of suicide decedents in order to better assess whether, and the extent to which, mining workers (and other industries and occupations) are at increased risk of suicide.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the work of Allison Joy Milner, who died tragically in August 2019. Allison made substantial contributions to workplace and suicide research, and her generosity, drive, vim, and verve will not be forgotten. We also acknowledge the source of this data, the National Coronial Information Service and the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety who are source organization of the data. We also remember those who have died by suicide, especially those whose deaths are contained in this data.

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