Falls from heights accounted for 14 of the 71 reported worker fatalities, ahead of vehicle accidents and being hit by an object.
Vehicle accidents however had caused more deaths when bystanders were included, according to figures released by Safe Work Australia for July to December 2009 figures.
Of the 14 fatalities caused by a fall, 3 occurred at construction sites, 3 at manufacturing, and 2 in the mining sector.
"There were some commonalties in the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the 14 workers who fell from a height," the SWA reported. "3 deaths were caused by falls from a roof; 3 deaths involved falls through an unguarded hole or opening; 2 deaths involved the use of ladders; and 2 deaths happened while using an elevating work platform."
Industries which topped the list of fatalities were Agriculture, forestry and fishing workplaces at 21 per cent, construction at 15 per cent, manufacturing at 13 per cent and 10 per cent in transport and storage as well as 7 per cent in mining.