Top Tips to Prevent Career-Ending Injuries.

01/08/2023

There are few careers as physically demanding as the building and construction industry. A career as a professional footy player perhaps? And we know much is made of the devastating impact of serious injury on promising young sports stars. It is the same with those who work in a trade. When your ability to do your job is tied fundamentally to being physically fit and able, it’s important to take measures to avoid injury.

In a recent report by SafeWork Australia^* the occupations with the highest work-related injury incidence (percentage of workers who experienced a work-related injury or illness in the past 12 months) were:

Community and personal service workers 7%,
Machinery operators and drivers 6.5%,
Labourers 5.7%
Technicians and trades 5.3%.

^*Analysis of ABS Work-related injuries survey data, 2021-2022

From the same report, the most common work-related injury or illness sustained among workers was a: sprain/strain (28.7%), followed by a chronic joint or muscle condition (20.4%) and cut/open wound (12.6%).

Lifting, pushing, pulling, or bending was the most common cause of work-related injury or illness (24.1%), followed by fall on the same level (including slip or fall) (17.5%) and hitting or being hit or cut by an object or vehicle (15.8%). The main contributor to lost time at work is manual handling injuries – in order: hand injuries, then arm/shoulder, leg ankle, and then back injuries.

At Master Builders, we take safety seriously. We are focused on the prevention of injury first and foremost. It is why safety training is part of our apprenticeship program, as well as why we offer a range of safety courses for anyone working in our industry. The duty of care for all workers is ‘Look After Yourself’ (WHS Act & Regulations).

Top tips

Master Builders Work Health and Safety Advisor, Graham Stewart’s top tips for avoiding injuries are:

Keep your worksite clean and free of slip-trip-fall hazards – place electrical cables on cable towers or cable hooks
What about you and the workers – are they drug and alcohol-free?
Just like sport, stretch before commencing your shift. Research shows stretching will help avoid sprains, strain, and muscle damage
Know your limit when lifting or any manually handling task – if the task cannot be easily completed, use a 2-person lift or a lifting device
Research shows taking shortcuts and rushing (under the pump) contributes to workplace incidents. Plan your work and tasks, and slow down where high-risk tasks are involved.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use hand tools the correct way. Don’t remove guards and check each tool before use. Reduce exposure to vibration from the use of vibrating power tools.
Take regular breaks when doing repetitive movements
Hydrate but don’t overhydrate. Your urine should be a light yellow – clear urine indicates flushing of essential electrolytes and minerals from your body causing fatigue and focus issues. Did you know a slice of white bread contains 60% water? So your water intake is also from food.
Protect your back when lifting and moving objects by asking someone to help you, or using a mechanical lifting device
Avoid overexertion when laying bricks, barrow work, or when working in hot and cold weather.

We know businesses, tradespeople, and apprentices, are trying their best to avoid injury, but there’s a lot more that can be improved. We acknowledge that accidents can happen and when they do, they can be catastrophic. Seek First Aid immediately. Contact Emergency 000.

Employers or businesses, or anyone who falls under the definition of a ‘person conducting a business or undertaking’ (a PCBU), has legal obligations under work health and safety laws to provide a safe workplace. This includes safe methods of work, training, supervision, and consultation. If there is a serious injury, illness, dangerous incident (includes a ‘near miss’) or death, you must notify SafeWork NSW, 13 10 50, immediately.

If you observe a dangerous incident, you can notify SafeWork NSW using the ‘Speak-Up’ App available from SafeWork NSW or download from your App Store.

And remember, not all accidents happen in the workplace. Many weekend warriors take part in sports such as Footy, Soccer, Basketball, or Skateboarding. A weekend footy game might result in a broken bone or strained ligaments, impacting your ability to work. Whilst participating in sports is great for your health and well-being, it’s important that you take care on the field or court. Make sure you tell the boss if you have acquired an injury on the weekend as this may contribute to a workplace incident.

Training

At Master Builders we want you to have a long, fruitful, and satisfying career in building and construction. This is why we encourage you to keep learning and refreshing your safety skills. This Tradies Safety Month, it is time to think about your safety knowledge, risk, and skills. We encourage you and your team to enrol in a program that can transform the way you work.

If you are interested in becoming a qualified Work Health and Safety officer we also offer the BSB41419 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety course.

Master Builders can work together with your business requirements to tailor a safety training package for you and your team. For more information on health and safety training go to our website or call Master Builders on 8586 3588.

Health and Safety training

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