Tradies National Health Month – Back and Shoulder injuries
by Declan Wise
August is Tradies National Health Awareness Month.
Tradies rely heavily on their health for work. However, they can tend to ignore the aches and pains, which if left untreated can become more debilitating and disabling. Australian trades people make up 30% of the populations workforce. But, according to Safety Australia they make up over half (58%) of the workforces injury claims. Majority of these injuries are experienced from poor lifting, falls, slips/trips, and repetitive movement.
Physically demanding trade jobs can cause and exacerbate a range of injuries. Waking up at all hours of the morning and going straight into a high physically demanding job can take a toll on a person’s body over time. No matter how fit your body may be. This is why it is not surprising that tradies risk of injury is higher compared to other work places. The average time off work is 5-6 weeks due to serious workplace injury, which most tradies just simply can’t afford.
Low back pain is the most common injury experienced, followed by shoulder issues. These are the most used parts of the body that is constantly involved in all tasks undertaken by a tradie at work. Lifting, pushing/pulling and carrying cause the most injuries to the back and shoulder Often due to twisting when lifting or trying to lift more than what is logical. Injuries are also caused by falls, slips and repetitive movements.
Some tradies would say that they don’t lift very heavy but they get stuck in jobs with small compact spaces. Roof spaces, small engine bays or in environments aren’t suitable or safe for their bodies. These can still cause the same pain and discomfort as any other problem due to the twisting and different angles your body must get into for the job.