Five Health and Safety Tips for Tradies
August is Tradies National Health Month and here are our five health and safety tips for tradies.
According to research by the Australian Physiotherapy Association:
- Tradies account for 58% of all serious injury/disease claims but only make up 30% of the workforce
- 79% of tradies said they took good care of their tools compared to only 47% of tradies who said they looked after their body
- The most common cause of injury is muscular stress caused by lifting, carrying, or putting objects down with back pain being the most common site of injury
Our five health and safety tips for tradies are:
- Make time for regular physio and doctors appointments – if something hurts or you’re concerned about a health issue it’s always best to get it seen to earlier rather than later. What can be a niggle can quickly become a chronic injury. With repetitive lifting, sustained postures and heavy lifting your body is under a lot of strain. And remember prevention is always better than a cure so even booking in a regular massage can help to relieve any muscular tension.
- Keep fit and strong – although your job is physical it is still important to maintain your fitness and strength. Going to the gym or establishing a home program working on your core strength, leg and arm muscles can help reduce the load on your joints and prevent injury.
- Be sun safe – with a lot of work being outdoors sun protection is vital. Try to do as much work in the shade or plan your day to get those jobs outside done early or late in the day.
- Protect yourself – whether it be wearing protective gear, learning safer ways to lift or taking regular breaks make sure you’re responsible for your own health and safety at work.
- Eat healthy food – it’s not only what’s happening on the outside that’s important it’s what you’re taking inside your body too. Swap burgers and pies for healthy protein filled salads, fresh fruit and lots of water and not only will you look better but you’ll also feel better.