Given the severe labor crisis the sector is currently experiencing, the alarming number of tradespeople suffering injuries at work could have disastrous consequences. Nine out of 10 tradies have had work-related injuries, and half of them are in chronic discomfort, revealed to new data by the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Because of the physical strain their jobs have on them, 25% of tradespeople questioned said they worry they may have to retire early. One of those tradespeople is Jake Oldfield, a landscaper.
The 40-year-old, who completed a mature-age apprenticeship and has been employed in the field for more than 15 years, expressed concerns during the interview with Yahoo Finance about his future due to the labor-intensive nature of his employment.
“Landscaping is very physical and a lot of labor-intensive work, so a lot of digging, lifting pavers, and continual effort and repetition,” Oldfield confirmed.
“It does take a bit of a toll on your body. I’ve found specifically if I’m paving for a whole week and you’ll be down your haunches, leaning forward, and getting back up.”
The Albury Wodonga business owner stated that he experiences “niggling little injuries and general tightness and soreness,” specifically in his lower back and shoulders, and has to visit a physiotherapist for treatment.
Although the dad-of-two stated that he enjoys the physical nature of the work, his current physical condition worries that he may have to change his line of work in the future.
“I was 40 this month, and in 10, 20 years time I probably won’t still be as effective or able to do the job, which is something I think of,” he said in the interview.
“I’ve put a few things in place, like I can use machines, so an excavator or skid steer. So I’m hoping I can still be involved in the industry, but obviously just in a different facet.”
Injuries costing tradies more than $4,000
According to research from Hipages, injuries were causing workers to take 11 days out from work per year and potentially lose up to $4,144 in pay.
The most prevalent workplace injuries among electricians and builders were pulled, strained, and torn muscles, followed by cuts and scratches.
Ashley Belteky, a heavy diesel technician, confirmed in the interview that she has observed an increased emphasis on safety in her field in the past few years.
She claimed that because she is smaller, she has learned new methods of doing the work, such as using tools and equipment.
“It’s very much about safe manual handling practices and using tools instead of acting like you have the strength to do anything,” she stated.
In order to build enough homes for our expanding population by the end of 2026, Master Builders Australia has cautioned that the building and construction business would require 480,000 additional workers. BuildSkills Australia claims that in order to reach the government’s housing objective, 90,000 additional tradespeople are necessary.
With 1.35 million workers, the industry is large, but it only replaces around half of those losses due to an 8 percent annual leave rate.
In order to alleviate the recurrent shortfall, the government committed more than $90 million in the 2024 budget to pay for an additional 20,000 fee-free TAFE spaces.
- Published By Team Australia News
