SEVEN out of 10 tradies consider themselves fit and try to eat healthily but a persistent “blokey” culture is leading to serious injury, according to the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s annual survey, released today (August 1) mark the beginning of Tradies National Health Month.

The association says the survey highlights some concerning attitudes among tradies including a disconnect between their attitudes to work and sport.

Australian Physiotherapy Association president Phil Calvert says: “Our research shows that of those tradies who exercise or play sport regularly – more than half will spend a few minutes stretching and warming up because they know this helps reduce injuries.”

“Yet when it comes to starting work for the day, in many respects another type of sport, less than a quarter will warm up, even though they know it could prevent stiffness and soreness at the end of the day.

“When we dug deeper we found the majority of tradies were open to the idea of warming up if they felt their boss would be supportive of it.

“So there’s a real opportunity for trade employers to take a proactive position and encourage their employees to spend a few minutes each day getting their bodies warmed up for the physical work ahead.”

Phil says tradies are at risk of a range of injuries as a result of the intensity and repetitive nature of their work, yet statistics show 88 per cent of tradies take good care of their tools, while more than 60 per cent said they take good care of their bodies.

When it came to mental health, only one quarter of tradies felt comfortable talking to co-workers about a mental health issue affecting their work, while just over half (53 per cent) were open to discussing physical health concerns.

Sixty-nine per cent of tradies believe it is OK to be sore as a result of the work they do and 42 per cent of tradies push past their healthy limits.

As part of the survey, 32 per cent admitted to not following safe lifting guidelines and almost half (48 per cent) hadn’t taken a sick day in the past six months.

At the end of the day, Phil says the association wants everyone to go home safely to their families, so tradies should look at all options to ensure they are in the best physical and mental shape to get through the day.

“That might include warm-up stretches at the start of the day and open dialogue with bosses and co-workers about personal injuries or issues affecting their work,” he says.

For more information visit australian.physio

‘Blokey’ culture leads to serious injury