Most tradies are known for being ‘tough’ and ‘fit’. However, with the unhealthy work environment of long work hours and heavy tools it can take a toll on their health, leading to many illnesses that are hard to tough out.
Is being a Tradie a Health Hazard? Did you know the most common health risks for tradies are hearing loss, musculoskeletal disorders, mesothelioma, silicosis and mental health issues?
Hearing Loss:
Construction workers who are constantly exposed to excess noise levels or work with loud machinery are at a higher risk of deafness. Close to 1 in 5 tradies are exposed to excessive noise above the recommended occupational limit.
Musculoskeletal Disorders:
Working with heavy machinery and repetitive manual handling tasks put these tradies at higher risk of injuries and disorders that affect the movement of their body. Tradies have a tendency to ignore the pain and discomfort until it becomes unbearable.
Mesothelioma:
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer cause by inhalation/ingestion of asbestos fibres. Asbestos has been widely used in construction up until the mid-1980’s before it was banned in 2003. Did you know that mesothelioma takes up to 20-50 years to develop after exposure? Trade occupations that produce a lot of dust (sawing/sanding) are also at high risk of developing mesothelioma.
Silicosis:
Stonemasons are particularly vulnerable to silicosis. Silicosis is an irreversible lung disease that develops from long term exposure to silica dust. Silica dust is considered more dangerous then coal mine dust. Once inhaled it enters the lungs and gets deposited in the air sacs, the build up of this causes the formation of scar tissue. More than 500,000 Aussies are exposed to silica dust and it takes up to 10-15 years to develop.
Mental Health Issues:
The nature of the job/trade makes social support more difficult. Studies reveal that these problems are linked to the high suicide rate in male construction workers, particularly those aged 15 – 25, they are also 6 times more likely to die from suicide than through a workplace accident.