Tradie health risks – what you need to look out for

Tradie health risks – what you need to look out for

Sore shoulder? Lower back twinge? It’s easy to overlook a twinge here and there but your body is trying to tell you that things are physically amiss.

In this Article:
Tradies put their bodies under a lot of stress
Knowing the risks can help you avoid them
Don’t ignore warning signs

Being a tradie means hard physical graft. And that’s not all bad! A physical job is excellent news for long-term physical health. Just 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day lowers your chances of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and more. A physically active day also helps to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. And having a strong, fit body is one of the best ways to keep injuries at bay.

But looking after yourself is paramount to staying in good shape. Here’s a look at the most common physical health issues that can beset the best of us.

Tradie health risk #1: Back and joint problems

Back pain is the most common injury experienced by tradies. That’s not surprising, seeing as it’s the part of the body that gets used in pretty much everything we do, from lifting stuff and reaching up, to manoeuvring into tight spaces. Heck, even just being on your feet all day puts pressure on the spine. Lower back pain specifically is the most common complaint. Other common stress areas include shoulders, necks, knees and ankles.

The older you get – and the more years you clock up on the tools – the risk of back injury and pain escalates.

Treating aches and pains as soon as they appear is paramount (see boxout).

Tradie health risk #2: Hearing loss

Almost one in five Aussie workers are exposed to noise above the recommended occupational limit, according to a study published in the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal. Construction workers and other tradies who are continually exposed to excessive noise levels, or those who work with loud machinery, are at highest risk of hearing impairment and even deafness.

Tradie health risk #3: Skin cancer

Plenty of jobs involve sparkies spending long periods of time in the beating sun. We all know that hats, shirts and sunscreen are a must in preventing skin cancer. If you notice a skin patch or mole getting bigger, darker, itchy or changing shape, get to a doctor pronto.

Early detection means better survival rates.

Tradie health risk #4: Obesity

Despite all that physical activity, electricians and other tradespeople are prone to weight gain as they age. Eating on the run, working long hours and spending hours behind the wheel all contribute to increased levels of obesity, which in turn increases the risk for type 2 diabetes. Packing your own (healthy) food and scheduling in time for recreational exercise is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Don’t ignore it health risk warning signs

Tradies are well known for trying to ‘tough out’ injuries. Ignore the pain and it will go away. That or it becomes unbearable to the point that you can’t work. So if you feel any soreness – whether it’s a result of on-the-job activity or something that’s happened at home – don’t ignore it.

“Always act early when it comes to lower back pain,” says Australian Physiotherapy Association Occupational Health Physiotherapist Lucia Tsui. “Tradies know they put their bodies through a lot. Don’t risk injury or acute back pain developing into a chronic condition.”

And realise that as you get older, staying fit and healthy requires even more focus.

“Our generation will likely work longer than our parents, and brains and bodies change with age,” says Lucia.

“Adjusting your tasks and modifying how you get them done is key to staying effective and safe.”

This includes things such as regularly interrupting repetitive manual handling tasks with recovery breaks, and utilising step ladders to reach high areas without stretching or twisting.

If you notice a niggling pain over time, get your GP to refer you to a physio or osteopath who will help you tackle soreness and stiffness before it gets worse.

“Preventing injuries and treating them early is key,” says Lucia, “so that small issues don’t develop into more serious conditions that may keep tradies out of action for a longer term.”

Keeping common tradie injuries at bay

  • Warm up. A good warm-up before a workout increases flexibility, nourishes the muscles and reduces the risk of injury. Ditto in the workplace.
  • Use the equipment. From trolleys, hook lifts and ladders to safety goggles, boots and box cutters, there’s a whole heap of stuff designed to keep you safe at work.
  • Use your workmates. If you need to move things that are heavy, large or awkward, get someone else to halve the load and save your back.
  • Get some rest. Being tired at work results in slower reactions and affects your ability to make good decisions. So make sure you get plenty of zzzzzs.
  • Keep drinking. Physical work is thirsty work and if you’re dehydrated, your body won’t operate properly. Water, sports drinks, even tea and coffee all contribute to your RDI. Cheers!
Find your local Gemcell Member branch

Comments (0)

Write a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Keep up to date with our latest news and competitions by subscribing to our regular newsletter.

The Heritage Issue

Out Now

The Heritage Issue

Current Issue

The Heritage Issue

Apr-May 2025

The Heritage Issue

Past Issues

View all
  • The Renovation Issue

    Issue 184

    The Renovation Issue

    DEC 24 - JAN 25

  • The Showtime Issue

    Issue 183

    The Showtime Issue

    OCT - NOV 2024

  • The Bias Issue

    Issue 182

    The Bias Issue

    AUG - SEPT 2024

  • The Distance Issue

    Issue 181

    The Distance Issue

    JUN - JUL 2024

  • The Growth Issue

    Issue 180

    The Growth Issue

    APR - MAY 2024

  • The Workfit Issue

    Issue 179

    The Workfit Issue

    FEB - MARCH 2024

  • The Fire and Water Issue

    Issue 178

    The Fire and Water Issue

    DEC 2023 - JAN 2024

  • The Multi-Res Issue

    Issue 177

    The Multi-Res Issue

    OCT - NOV 2023

  • The Cost of Living Issue

    Issue 176

    The Cost of Living Issue

    AUG - SEPT 2023

  • The Winter Issue

    Issue 175

    The Winter Issue

    JUN - JUL 2023

  • The Light Issue

    Issue 174

    The Light Issue

    APR - MAY 2023

  • The Security Issue

    Issue 173

    The Security Issue

    FEB - MAR 2023

  • The Summer Issue

    Issue 172

    The Summer Issue

    DEC 2022 - JAN 2023

  • The Change Issue

    Issue 171

    The Change Issue

    OCT - NOV 2022

  • The E-Issue

    Issue 170

    The E-Issue

    AUG - SEPT 2022

  • The Future Living Issue

    Issue 169

    The Future Living Issue

    JUN - JUL 2022

  • The Transport Issue

    Issue 168

    The Transport Issue

    APR - MAY 2022

  • The Local Issue

    Issue 167

    The Local Issue

    FEB - MAR 2022

  • The Human Issue

    Issue 166

    The Human Issue

    DEC 2021 - JAN 2022

  • The Branding Issue

    Issue 165

    The Branding Issue

    OCT - NOV 2021

  • The Positivity Issue

    Issue 164

    The Positivity Issue

    AUG - SEPT 2021

  • The ‘Not My Fault’ Issue

    Issue 163

    The ‘Not My Fault’ Issue

    JUN - JUL 2021

  • The Fault Issue

    Issue 162

    The Fault Issue

    APR - MAY 2021

  • The Power Issue

    Issue 161

    The Power Issue

    FEB - MAR 2021

  • The Summer Issue

    Issue 160

    The Summer Issue

    DEC 2020 - JAN 2021

  • The Care Issue

    Issue 159

    The Care Issue

    OCT - NOV 2020

  • The Recreation Issue

    Issue 158

    The Recreation Issue

    AUG - SEPT 2020

  • The Recovery Issue

    Issue 157

    The Recovery Issue

    JUN - JUL 2022

  • The Solar Issue

    Issue 156

    The Solar Issue

    APR - MAY 2020

  • The Bigger Business Issue

    Issue 155

    The Bigger Business Issue

    FEB - MAR 2020

  • The Big Business Issue

    Issue 154

    The Big Business Issue

    DEC 2019 - JAN 2020

  • The Elsewhere Issue

    Issue 153

    The Elsewhere Issue

    OCT - NOV 2019

  • The Protection Issue

    Issue 152

    The Protection Issue

    AUG - SEPT 2019

  • The Emissions Issue

    Issue 151

    The Emissions Issue

    JUN - JUL 2019

  • The Retro Fit Issue

    Issue 150

    The Retro Fit Issue

    APR - MAY 2019

  • The Retail and Hospitality Issue

    Issue 149

    The Retail and Hospitality Issue

    FEB - MAR 2019

  • The Bush Issue

    Issue 148

    The Bush Issue

    DEC 2018 - JAN 2019

  • The Training Issue

    Issue 147

    The Training Issue

    OCT - NOV 2018

  • The Connected Home Issue

    Issue 146

    The Connected Home Issue

    AUG - SEPT 2018

  • The Virtual Reality Issue

    Issue 145

    The Virtual Reality Issue

    JUN - JUL 2018

  • The Wiring Devices Issue

    Issue 144

    The Wiring Devices Issue

    APR - MAY 2018

  • The Entertainment Issue

    Issue 143

    The Entertainment Issue

    FEB - MAR 2018

  • The Transport Issue

    Issue 142

    The Transport Issue

    DEC 2016 - JAN 2017

  • The Institution Issue

    Issue 141

    The Institution Issue

    OCT- NOV 2017

  • The Behind the Meter Issue

    Issue 140

    The Behind the Meter Issue

    AUG - SEPT 2017

  • The Winter Issue

    Issue 139

    The Winter Issue

    JUN - JUL 2017

  • The Project Issue

    Issue 138

    The Project Issue

    APR - MAY 2017

  • The Australia Issue

    Issue 137

    The Australia Issue

    FEB - MAR 2017

  • The Disaster Issue

    Issue 136

    The Disaster Issue

    DEC 2016 - JAN 2017

  • The Outdoor Issue

    Issue 135

    The Outdoor Issue

    OCT - NOV 2017

  • The People Issue

    Issue 134

    The People Issue

    AUG - SEPT 2016

  • The Environment Issue

    Issue 133

    The Environment Issue

    JUN - JUL 2016

  • The Safety Issue

    Issue 132

    The Safety Issue

    APR - MAY 2016

  • The Wireless Issue

    Issue 131

    The Wireless Issue

    FEB - MAR 2016

  • The Tools Issue

    Issue 130

    The Tools Issue

    DEC 2015 - JAN 2016

  • The Cable Issue

    Issue 129

    The Cable Issue

    OCT - NOV 2015

  • The LED Issue

    Issue 128

    The LED Issue

    AUG - SEPT 2015

  • The Smart Issue

    Issue 127

    The Smart Issue

    JUN - JUL 2015

  • The ANZAC Issue

    Issue 125

    The ANZAC Issue

    APR - MAY 2015

  • The Australia Issue

    Issue 125

    The Australia Issue

    FEB - MAR 2015

  • The Future Issue

    Issue 124

    The Future Issue

    DEC 2014 - JAN 2015

  • The Renovation Issue

    Issue 123

    The Renovation Issue

    OCT - NOV 2014

  • The Industry Issue

    Issue 122

    The Industry Issue

    AUG - SEPT 2014

  • The Future Shock Issue

    Issue 121

    The Future Shock Issue

    JUN - JUL 2014

  • The Light Issue

    Issue 120

    The Light Issue

    APR - MAY 2014

  • The Green Issue

    Issue 119

    The Green Issue

    FEB - MAR 2014

  • The Press Reset Issue

    Issue 118

    The Press Reset Issue

    DEC 2013 - JAN 2014

  • The Safety Issue

    Issue 117

    The Safety Issue

    OCT - NOV 2013

  • The Business Boot Camp Issue

    Issue 116

    The Business Boot Camp Issue

    AUG - SEPT 2013