August is Tradies Health Month, and we are asking tradies to make their health and the health of their co-workers a priority.
During the month of August Glenco has been focused on educating their tradies on the importance of full-body health and safety.
Recent research from The Australian Physiotherapy Association’s (APA) showed that while attitudes toward health and safety have improved, the organisation found some perspectives “concerning”.
State of the tradie:
88 % – take care of the tools but only 60 per cent look after their body and mental health
70 % – consider themselves fit and try to eat healthy
69 % – believe it’s normal to be sore as a result of their work
25 % – are comfortable to talk to a co-worker about a mental health issue affecting their work
32 % – don’t follow safe lifting guidelines
42 % – push their body past healthy limits
48 % – haven’t taken a sick day in the past six months
Source: Australian Physiotherapy Association Tradies Health survey 2019
With this in mind, Glenco has put together a list of handy tips and hints tailored to the needs of a tradie.
10 BASICS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY
1. STAY ALERT – and stay alive. The more awake you are the less likely you are to get hurt. If you are unsure- ask. Don’t guess and muddle through. Make sure you know in advance the correct, safe way to do it.
2. WEAR THE RIGHT CLOTHES – Always wear work clothes that fit properly and use protective clothing and equipment fit properly.
3. USE THE RIGHT TOOLS – if you need a hammer, get a hammer. Make sure your tools are in good condition.
4. LEARN HOW TO LIFT – Lifting takes more than muscle; it is an art. Don’t try to show how strong you are – get help if you need it.
5. DON’T BE A PRANKSTER – practical jokes and horseplay can be dangerous. If you feel the urge to play, resist it until after work.
6. BE TIDY – Good housekeeping reduces hazards. Always put away tools when they are not in use. Keep the floors clean, pick up scraps, wipe up spills. A slip or trip can be fatal.
7. REPORTING IS IMPORTANT – Never fail to report incidents, defective equipment, and unsafe conditions.
8. GET FIRST-AID or MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY – if you’re hurt – even if it seems minor. Neglect of the injury may lead to serious infection, lost time, and even permanent injury.
9. BACK YOUR SAFETY PROGRAM – If you have an idea you believe will reduce incidents, tell your supervisor about it. Set an example by obeying safety rules.
10. NEVER TAKE A CHANCE – Next, to sheer carelessness, the short cut is probably the biggest killer of all. To save a minute or two, you may lose a lifetime. Whatever you are doing, if you are not doing it safely, you are not doing it right!!
