Nearly one in every five serious workplace-related injuries (20.6%) involves a tradie, ranking them the third most injured profession, behind labourers (30.4%) and transport workers (25.9%), according to Safe Work Australia’s Key Work Health & Safety Report 2014.
Tradies rely on their musculoskeletal health to do their jobs; and regularly ignore aches, pains and body stress.
This could result in early retirement and reduced quality of life.
In 2014, the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) commissioned report “Stop Trading your Health Away” was issued to educate and engage tradespeople on the importance of full body health and safety.
Some of the findings include:
- Up to 10 tradies a day are injured at work.
- That’s 3650 tradies on Workers Compensation every year.
- After 6 months off work, 18% of injured workers sought access to mental health services and after a year off work, 30% of injured workers had sought treatment for mental health.
- 94% of tradies reported that they don’t eat enough fruit and/or vegetables;
- 58% indulge alcohol induced risky behaviour detrimental to their health and well-being.
The APA and Physioworks Health Group are again supporting Tradies National Health Month in August 2015.
The APA report shows the cost to businesses, communities, the health system and the economy is significant and growing, so the APA is calling on all tradies “to change their behaviour” APA report highlights a focus group survey that shows 75% of tradies regularly ignore pain.
As APA physiotherapists and as a TAC/Worksafe provider, Physioworks Health Group can help tradies to manage these pains and existing conditions, improve function and mobility in problem areas, prevent injuries and achieve a healthy lifestyle.
Contact us today www.physioworkshealthgroup.com.au to make an appointment. Don’t ignore the pain. Seeking help now can protect your future health, well-being and livelihood.
For more information on Tradies National Health Month you’ll find plenty of resources and information at www.tradieshealth.com.au
Check out Ambassadors Kara and Kyle from THE BLOCK and Shane Jacobson passing on some safety tips for Tradies. [su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O32k8osSjxw” width=”640″][/su_youtube]