Tradies Health Month

August is Tradies Health Month, and the nations peak body for work safety along with organisations like the Australian Physiotherapists Association are calling on tradies to make their health and the health of their co-workers a priority. 

According to the APA, while they’ve seen improvements, Australia’s trade industries continues to have some of the highest health and safety issues of any sector including time off work due to poor health and injury. 

The APA says this has a significant impact on families, businesses, communities, the health system and the economy and believes the impact will grow if steps to change behaviour aren’t taken. 

Safe Work Australia CEO Michelle Baxter said while tradies make up almost one-third (30%) of Australia’s workforce, they represent over half (58%) of serious claims for workers’ compensation. 

“Our research shows that the most common cause of injury involves muscular stress while lifting, carrying or putting down objects and the most common type of serious claim involves traumatic joint injuries.” 

“In particular, the construction industry is hazardous by nature and we work collaboratively with regulators, industry, unions and the community to identify the causes of injury and finding solutions to help tradies stay safe at work,” said Baxter.

Throughout August, Safe Work Australia says it will shine a spotlight on tradies’ health and safety by publishing a collection of data, videos, resources and information on their website, which can be accessed at any time, from any smartphone or tablet device. 

“We recommend having a conversation with your work health and safety regulator about how you can make your worksite a safer place to be,” said Baxter.

“Ultimately, we want every tradie to go home to their family, free from harm.”