Tradie worksite safety tips for national health month

Throughout the year, we check on our tools and our vehicles, making sure they’re up to speed for the job. But what about our own bodies? Often we overlook the biggest asset we have: ourselves. August is Tradies National Health Month and it’s the perfect time to look after number one. A recent survey by the Australian Physiotherapy Association* found that more than 90 per cent of tradies have experienced pain, injuries or ‘niggles’ in the past year, but most tried to deal with it themselves or just ignored it.

“Fifty three per cent of people managed their pain themselves through over-the-counter drugs,” Will Hunt, physiotherapist and State Manager for Axis, says.

“Thirty per cent used other substances to alleviate symptoms, and nearly 40 per cent just ignored the pain and hoped it would go away. But if you ignore it, it will likely get worse. You could get weaker, it may impact your ability to work and you might need something a little more serious – even surgery or heavy drugs – to help you recover.”

What are the biggest health challenges for tradespeople?

A national survey* carried out by the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) in June 2024 revealed the following results:

• Over 90 per cent of tradies experienced work-related injuries or pain in the past year, with 90 per cent of these injuries caused or worsened by work.
• 76 per cent reported pain significantly impacts their quality of life.
• 42 per cent described their pain as severe, with some suffering for months or even years.
• 87 per cent medicate or self-medicate to manage their pain, with 30 per cent resorting to drugs or alcohol.
• 24 per cent fear they will need to retire early due to stress on their bodies.
• Nearly two-thirds of tradies who have seen a physiotherapist reported significant pain reduction or eradication.

What is Tradies National Health Month?

Every August, The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) holds Tradies National Health Month to raise awareness of the health and injury risks affecting those who work in the trade sector. With tradespeople making up 31 per cent of the Australian workforce, shining a light on tradies’ work practices is a great opportunity for physiotherapists to show how they can advise tradies on the following:

• Reducing the likelihood of injury
• Undertaking preventative health management
• Providing treatment and exercises, in the case of injury, to assist in a speedy recovery

Three key things to look out for when on the job

So, what should you look out for when on the job? Will talks us through some areas tradies need to manage and when to seek medical assistance.

Obvious pain after an accident

“What’s really common is people will have an accident but keep working because they’re halfway through a job and they just want to get it done,” Will says. “But definitely, if there’s a moment of injury and someone has pain, get it checked out.”

Numbness or pins and needles

“Nerve tingling or numbness is a pretty good reason to go and get some advice from a physiotherapist or a doctor because those sorts of things could be something like carpal tunnel syndrome,” Will says of the common condition, which results in numbness or tingling in the hand and arm caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist. The irritation can cause permanent damage if not treated. “You really want to try and understand what factors are contributing to that.”

Swelling

“People will often think, ‘Oh gee, my fingers or my ankles are swollen’ and just brush that off. But swelling can be an indication that something is inflamed and there’s fluid being delivered to that part of the body to help it recover,” Will says. “Again, get it checked out.”

Three quick exercise and reset tips for tradies on the job

• Warm up before the work: Do five to 10 minutes of movements/exercises that involve the joints and muscles that you’re about to use. Consider some big movements, which use multiple joints, as well as dynamic (moving) stretches.
• Reset during the work: Take five to 10 minutes throughout the workday to do a body scan to check how your neck, shoulders, arms, back, hips and legs are feeling. If you notice any fatigue or tightness in some areas, then doing gentle stretches can help to make the remainder of the workday more comfortable.
• Recover after the work: Just like you would do after sport, it is important to prioritise recovery after physical work. This includes doing a five-to-10 minute cool down, staying hydrated, getting effective sleep, and replenishing with good nutrition. A cool down should include some slow whole-body movements to begin to transition from working to a resting state.

Things to be mindful of when working on a jobsite

Will says while working, it’s important to be careful of the following:

• Repetition: Using the same body part over and over.
• Force: Lifting something heavy or pushing something forcefully.
• Awkwardness: Working in an awkward or uncomfortable position.

“Change the way you work to avoid these things; that’s where the wins are made,” Will says. “Take the time to understand and assess the work you’re about to do and think about it through a safe-work lens.”

Want tips on how to support your mental health?

Check out this guide on how to identify the signs and symptoms, as well as the next steps to take.

Disclaimers
This information is a guide only. Remember to always seek a doctor’s advice before making any medical decisions.
*Statistics taken from the APA’s 2024 Tradies National Health Survey