Hard work takes its toll, and preventable injuries like aches, pains and strains costs tradies annually.
With the cost of living starting to bite and tradies working overtime to meet demand, taking steps to safeguard your health has never been more important.
Thankfully, preventing costly injuries could be as simple as investing in a comfortable pair of safety boots and stretching your legs.
Australians are suffering fewer serious injuries, but there’s more to the story
Some good news first: the rate of serious workplace injuries has consistently fallen over the last decade. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows that Australia’s work-related injury rate fell from 6.5% in 2005-06 to 3.5% in 2021-22.
However, a closer look reveals that between 5.3% and 6.5% of tradies, technicians, machinery operators and labourers suffer serious work-related injuries, well above the national average.
What’s causing workplace injuries?
Physical strain – lifting, pulling, pushing and bending – is the most common cause of workplace injury by a wide margin. However, slips, trips and stumbles have become a bigger problem since 2005.
Ultimately, this means musculoskeletal complaints like strains, sprains and joint conditions make up nearly half (45.7%) of all reported injuries.
But that’s only reported injuries.
What about the back aches that build over time? Those joint problems that tradies ignore or write off as ‘getting older’?
These sustained aches and pains are creating a much larger problem, and ignoring them can cost dearly.
The hidden health problems plaguing Australia’s tradies
Think back to the last time you felt a pang of muscle pain at work. Did you report it as an injury or ‘tough it out’?
If you’re in the latter camp, you’re among the majority of Australian tradespeople suffering silently in your safety boots. And that’s a big problem.
66% of Australians don’t follow up on work-related injuries because it’s “not considered necessary”, according to Safe Work Australia.
In 2021-22, Australian Bureau of Statistics Work-related injuries survey data showed that 497,300 of the 14.1 million people who had worked during the last 12 months experienced a work-related injury or illness. This equated to a median of 8 weeks time lost.
A tradie’s job is demanding however, preventing strains and pains can be as simple as wearing properly-fitted safety boots in the workplace and stretching throughout the day.
Six tips to prevent injury and remain at the top of your trade
- Stretch before, during and after work for at least 5-10 minutes each time
- Follow proper fitting and lacing guides to ensure your safety boots are supporting whole-body health and preventing ankle injury
- Consult a physio or doctor at the first sign of strain
- Think twice before lifting, pulling, pushing or bending – there might be an easier way to move
- Use lifting aids and share the load, even if you think you can handle it alone
- Invest in high quality and comfortable safety boots, such as Steel Blue
For further information, view the Steel Blue blog post on the topic here
