1. Occupational physical activity is not necessarily beneficial

Physical activity is an important factor in determining health outcomes (Shala 2022).

Unlike sports and recreational physical activity, occupational physical activity increases mortality and overall risks for disease and injury. 

However, an increasing body of evidence suggests that this benefit is restricted to leisure time physical activity such as sports and recreation.

Many systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials report that occupational physical activity (OPA) increases the risk for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular diseases, overuse injuries and some carcinomas (Shala 2022, Holtermann et al 2021).

The contrasting health effects of leisure time physical activity and OPA constitute the so-called physical activity health paradox (Holtermann et al 2018).

Hypotheses for this paradox include that OPA is of too low intensity or too long duration for maintaining or improving cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular health, elevates 24-hour heart rate, elevates 24-hour blood pressure when combined with heavy lifting or static postures, is often performed without sufficient recovery time,  is often performed with low worker control and increases levels of inflammation.

This presents an important consideration for physiotherapists who work with physically active tradespeople.

Strategies to consider include work designed to eliminate heavy lifting, worker ability to take recovery breaks for high-intensity tasks, worker participation in control design for manual tasks, work designed for lower physical intensity and technology leveraged to avoid high physical loading or physiological stress (Shala 2022).

2. Mental health and wellbeing are important too

The topic of physical health is familiar to all tradies.

However, psychological wellbeing also needs to be considered in all approaches to improve their health.

According to an Australian Bureau of Statistics study, one in five people will experience a mental disorder every 12 months.

Despite significant efforts made to destigmatise the management of mental health, suicide rates are three times higher in younger trades than in the normal population.

The estimated cost of untreated mental health conditions in workplaces is $10.9 billion per year (Beyond Blue 2014).

Employers have obligations under the Model Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to prevent harm to workers’ psychological health (Safe Work Australia 2019).

The best place to start is with a conversation between employers and tradies and there are plenty of resources available to help.

In addition to assessing physical work design, environment and systems of work, preventing workplace injury and illness should include the assessment of psychosocial hazards (Oakman et al 2018, Marras et al 2009, Eatough et al 2012).

Evidence shows that doing this well reduces the risk of both physical and psychological injury.

3. Female tradies increase equity, diversity, inclusion and productivity

Women make up one to three per cent of trades workers, with recruitment, retention and training barriers reflecting societal and cultural expectations about gendered roles.

Trades jobs involve physical, sometimes dangerous work and a heavy workload is a recognised risk factor for musculoskeletal pain (Badarin et al 2021).

Gender differences in the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints reveal that men have a higher risk of back complaints from lifting but women have a higher risk of neck/shoulder complaints when performing the same tasks (Hooftman et al 2004).

Female tradies have the same proportion of serious injuries as their male counterparts, mostly from traumatic musculoskeletal conditions, but double the mental health conditions (Safe Work Australia 2021).

The perception that women do not have the necessary physical strength in this ‘macho culture’ is at odds with anti-discrimination (the Sex Discrimination Act 1984), equal opportunity (the Equal Opportunity Act 2010) and safety legislation (the Model Work Health and Safety Act 2011).

A non-discriminatory and risk management approach to occupational health—including pre-employment assessments, health promotion, risk assessments and return to work—ensures that ability is matched with actual job requirements and supports the increasing participation of women in the trades.

4. Remote work drives a higher injury rate

Fly-in fly-out, drive-in drive-out—whatever you call it, tens of thousands of Australian workers do their jobs far away from home each day on set swing rosters.

Tradies in remote locations live and work with colleagues 24/7 and conditions vary. 

Many of these are in the technician and trade professions and highly sought after in this age of skills shortage.

From underground to open-cut to offshore, onsite and remote, tradies keep big organisations moving forward.

Some do this to increase skills and experience, while others are setting themselves and their families up for a better life.

Irrespective, there is often a personal sacrifice involved.

Spare a thought for the travelling tradie when you next treat or interact with one.

They work long hours and are often sleep deprived.

They live and work with their colleagues 24/7 and living conditions vary enormously.

We know all this to be a dangerous combination for diminished concentration.

Despite safety measures, we still see a higher proportion of injuries (or worse) in this sector.

Have a chat with your tradie clients.

Along with your best injury advice, encourage them to set good sleep patterns, eat well, exercise and check in regularly with their families and friends.

Don’t underestimate the difference initiating this conversation might have.

5. A culture of safety helps prevent injury and illness

Organisational culture could be described as ‘the way we do things around here’.

Culture creates the unwritten rules that guide the behaviour of employees, including how they interact with each other, how they interpret and respond to events or change and the things they prioritise.

A proactive safety culture is vital for both physical and cultural safety within a workplace. 

A culture of safety is one that places importance on safety beliefs, values and attitudes, shared by the majority of people within a workplace.

Having a positive, proactive safety culture is vital to maintaining physical health while on worksites.

Employees who feel comfortable discussing safety issues in their workplace are more likely to perform well, learn from their mistakes and fix problems before they cause harm.

Respecting other people is also critical to creating a culture of safety in a workplace where everyone can examine cultural identities and attitudes and be open-minded and flexible towards people from cultures other than their own.

A positive workplace culture that prioritises safety plays an important role in the prevention and management of work-related illness, injury and stress-related disorders.

Improving workplace culture often requires change, challenging ‘norms’ and adopting new practices.

Employers should encourage positive cultures through leadership behaviours, policies and practices.

Click here for an infographic poster version of this article.

>> Deb Sutherland APAM MACP is an APA Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with a clinical background in musculoskeletal physiotherapy who has worked as an occupational health physiotherapist for 15 years. Deb has an honours degree in economics from Monash University and is a workplace trainer and a mental health first aider. She is the national chair of the Occupational Health group.

>> Simon Mitchell APAM has a background in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and occupational health, having spent over 20 years in the field of injury and illness management and prevention. Simon has worked as a clinician and in management positions within the public and private sectors and has a master’s degree in ergonomics from the University of Queensland. He is the New South Wales chair of the Occupational Health group.

>> Michelle Strother APAM is a physiotherapist and an occupational health and ergonomics consultant, providing occupational health, safety, ergonomic and rehabilitation services in a predominantly trades and labour-based environment. Michelle is the Western Australian state chair of the Occupational Health national group.

>> Zac Lowth APAM is General Manager Operations at JobFit Systems International and Staunch Technology and is the deputy national chair of the Occupational Health group.

>> Marcus Mancer APAM MACP is an APA Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist who has spent much of his 23 years of experience in the occupational and business sectors. Marcus is the Northern Territory chair for both the Occupational Health and Business national groups.

References

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