Work Safe and Smart for Long Healthy Career
With tradies making up 30 per cent of the workforce, it’s in all our interest to help them stay healthy.
Tradies experience serious workplace safety incidents that keep them away from work at higher rates than other occupations. Construction is one of the top industries in workplace injury rates.
1 in 6 Australians suffer from chronic low back pain that can be exacerbated by repetitive stress over a career in physically demanding work.
85% of workers involved in workplace safety incidents continue to work in the job where their injury or illness occurred.
Tradies are disproportionately affected by workplace injuries. Body stressing, lifting, pushing, pulling or bending, is the leading cause of workplace injury.
Our Physiotherapists are experts in the function of muscles, joints, ligaments and bones. They can provide guidance on risk assessment, safety protocols, and manual handling at work to help you avoid musculoskeletal injuries. Occupational Health physiotherapists can also provide guidance on ergonomics and workplace design so you can work smarter and longer until you are ready to retire.
So how can we help our local tradies stay fit and healthy to continue working.
Tip #1 - Act early when it comes to back pain
Don’t risk injury or acute back pain developing into a chronic condition. Physiotherapy treatment can help you prevent, manage and recover from low back pain. Our Physiotherapists assess and treat using a range of interventions including tailored graded exercise programs and manual therapy and offer guidance on injury management, return to work and prevention strategies.
Tip #2 - Fit for work does not mean fit for life
75 per cent of Australian adults do not meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, putting them at risk for chronic conditions, including back pain, heart disease, and cancer, as well as experiencing decreased wellbeing.
Research suggests that occupational physical activity (i.e., heavy physical work) alone does not provide the same health benefits as leisure time physical activity and is not a substitute for regular exercise.
Our Physiotherapists can work around your hours, assess your abilities and provide practical ideas and a tailored program to help you achieve your physical goals for work and life.
“Physical activity promotes high productivity.”
– Lailah Gifty Akita
Tip #3 - Bodies change as you age, so should the way you work
Brains and bodies change with age. Adjusting your tasks and modifying how you get them done is key to staying effective and safe, so you can have a long healthy work life.
Our occupational health physiotherapists are experts in supporting your changing body throughout your career. The way you hold, or handle objects or lift can be changed to suit your changing physical state as you age:
Regularly interrupt repetitive manual handling tasks with recovery breaks and engage in other activities like note-keeping or a five-minute stretch
Utilise stools, step ladders, or other tools to reach high areas without twisting your body to prevent common strains
Take advantage of technology and tools such as trolleys, hoists, lifts, or cranes to assist with heavy lifting
Tip #4 - Drive for longevity by setting your vehicle up right
Tradies spend long periods in their vehicles getting to job sites and can face common risks such as incorrect seating, poor posture, and constant vibrations that can lead to driving- related musculoskeletal injuries.
Each tradie is unique in height and weight, and it's crucial to set up and adjust their vehicles accordingly for safety and comfort. Our Occupational Health Physiotherapists can assess vehicle ergonomics. They can provide practical recommendations tailored to your individual needs, reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries while driving. Adjusting your seat, headrest, mirrors, and steering wheel based on their expert guidance ensures a safe and comfortable driving experience.
Tip #5 - Longer sleeps make for a longer career
Tradies get less sleep than most other professions particularly remote shift workers who have a higher risk of developing sleep disorders and experience higher injury rates. The physiological and cognitive impairments after being awake for 17 hours are akin to blowing 0.05% on a breathalyser and can increase your risk of accidents and injury and ultimately affect life expectancy.
Too little sleep is associated with an increased risk of chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and depression. It can also lead to fatigue, poor concentration and memory and lower reaction time.
Our physios can help you with a tailored exercise program - after all, physical activity promotes good sleep. We can also provide advice on appropriate mattresses and pillows to help you have a good night's sleep.
Act Now - Time to get your body in shape
Quite simply, tradies rely on their bodies for work—their bodies are their primary work tool. If it breaks down or becomes incapacitated through injury or chronic illness, they can’t work to their full ability.
Our physios can help you prevent injury and get back to normal if you do suffer an injury. Call us on 9838 8449 or book online for an appointment.
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