Being a tradie is a physically demanding job. The long days, harsh weather conditions and physical labour make it a difficult job to keep up with – both physically and mentally. August is Tradie Health Month, and the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is raising awareness of the risks posed to those who work in trade occupations—among individuals, their families, employers and the wider community.

This August, we thought we’d shine a spotlight on tradie health and how tradies can look after themselves on and off-site.

Some quick stats

The statistics for tradie health – both physical and mental - are pretty alarming. At a glance, these concerning statistics for physical injuries tell a story that tradies account for:

• 60% of all injury and musculoskeletal disorders across all occupations.
• 39% of all medical conditions across occupations.
• 5.4 weeks of lost work time as a result of serious injury claims.
• 40% of serious claims are made for upper limb injuries such as hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders.

The mental health statistics aren’t much better. These figures include:

• Men are three times more likely than women to take their own lives.
• The suicide rate among young tradesmen is three times higher than for other men.
• Construction workers are at least six times more likely to die by suicide than in workplace accidents.
• On average, 190 construction workers die by suicide each year.

Pretty confronting, right? The good news is there are plenty of things tradies can do to look after their health.

On-site health

Physical health

The worksite can be gruelling, especially if you live in a country with unpredictable weather conditions such as freezing winters and boiling summers. Add to that the physical labour that comes with being a tradie, you will quickly see how the job can take a toll on your body.

On-site, some great ways to take care of your body are:

Stretching – You wouldn’t (we hope) do a workout at the gym without working out beforehand. So, it only makes sense to warm up and do some stretches before starting work. Stretching has a range of health benefits, including increasing your range of motion, improving your posture, increasing blood flow to your muscles and aiding the healing and prevention of back pain. Five to ten minutes of stretching before and after work can work wonders for your body.

Fuelling your body correctly – This means drinking plenty of water and eating the right food to get you through the day. Especially during the warmer months, making sure you stay hydrated is crucial. Read our blog for more ideas on how to eat healthy on site.

Taking breaks – Taking a moment to put the tools down and have a quick break to rest your body is important. Our bodies need to rest – especially if they’re doing a lot of lifting or physical work. Even five minutes will make a difference.

Dressing for the weather – This means rugging up in the colder months and wearing breathable garments during the warmer months. Lots of layering is a great option in winter when the weather gets cold. Check out our range for your on-site uniform.

Mental health

Crank the tunes – Music is an excellent way to boost your mood and release happy hormones to the brain. Studies show listening to music can improve your mood, decrease pain and anxiety and create opportunities for emotional expression.

Breathe – Feeling overwhelmed? Take a few deep breaths. Deep breathing decreases stress, increases harm, stimulates the lymphatic system (which detoxifies the body), lowers blood pressure and much more. This can instantly calm you down on-site.

Off-site health

Physical health

Looking after your physical health – even off-site – is crucial. While taking care of your body at work is essential, taking care of it after hours is just as important. Some ways you can promote recovery of your body to ensure it’s performing at its peak are:

Stretching – Ok, we know we mentioned this in the on-site section, but it’s just as important to do after work too! Stretching after a long day on the tools will help your body recover, ready for the next day.

Get plenty of sleep – Playing video games with mates or binge-watching Netflix might be tempting after a long day but giving your body enough time to rest and reset for the next day is vital. Aim for a consistent bedtime and ensure you get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

Mental health

Looking after your mental health is equally as important off-site. Some of the ways you can take care of yourself when you’re not at work include:

Mindfulness – We know it sounds a bit cliché, but mindfulness is a great way to relax your mind and body. If practised regularly, meditation and mindfulness can ease anxiety, stress and depression. Downloading apps to your phone (such as Headspace and Calm) will take you through guided meditations and grounding exercises.

‘Me time’ – Invest in some time to yourself doing what you love. Whether that’s heading to the gym for a weights session, watching your favourite tv show or even reading a book, taking the time to yourself can leave you feeling better after a tough day on the tools.

Talk to someone – For men especially, it’s not common to want to reach out for help or to open up to someone. However, the stigma around talking about your feelings needs to end. Talking to your mates, your partner or a family member means you’re not bottling up your emotions, which can have harmful long-term results. A psychologist or helpline might be the best option if you’d prefer to speak to someone different.

Who to add to your contacts

As a tradie, there are a few contacts you should add to your speed dial list.

• A physiotherapist, osteopath or chiropractor for lingering aches and pains.
• A General Practitioner (GP) for general health and wellbeing.
• A nutritionist to assist you with healthy meal options.
• A psychologist or helpline number. Some options include:

Beyond Blue (Australia)

Lifeline (Australia)

Lifeline (New Zealand)

Suicide Crisis Helpline(New Zealand)

There are so many things tradies can do to look after their physical and mental health. If you’ve got something we’ve missed on this list, be sure to get in touch via our Instagram, @syzmikworkwear.