Tradies are people earning a living based on some trade. They could be electricians, carpenters, plumbers, painters, etc. Since hazardous or difficult working conditions are part and parcel of the work-life of tradies, it’s important they pay great attention to their health and personal safety. In fact, to be a successful tradie, you need to be healthy and fit at all times. In this article, let’s discuss certain measures that ensure health and safety for tradies.
Follow Proper Lifting Technique
The objects a tradie lifts are not much different from the weights professional athletes lift at the Olympics. Therefore, it’s important to incorporate the weightlifting techniques of a professional athlete when lifting any heavy object. In other words, always keep your back straight and bend at the knees. Squatting and breaking at the hips could mitigate back-injuries. Also, do not ignore minor pains or niggles in your back.
Make Good Use of Your Breaks
Take micro-breaks every now and then during the day instead of irregular long breaks. These small breaks would help both your mind and body. Long breaks usually cause your body to slack and mind to slip off task. Make a routine where regular micro-breaks are a must.
Monitor Equipment
Since you would be constantly engaging with hazardous machinery, make sure your machines are always in good working condition. Do not use any equipment that you aren’t trained or qualified to handle. If you’ve been handed a new machine, take some time to get familiarized with it.
Detect Hazards
Identifying hazards is imperative to living the health and safety for tradies. Make sure you’re constantly in the know of your surroundings since they are continually changing. If you come across a hazard, make sure you bring it to the notice of other people on the work floor. Resume working with the tool or machine only after the issue with the equipment has been properly fixed.
Risk Management
Like identifying hazards, following proper risk management procedures would help mitigate these situations from taking place. In an industrial setting, the risks of things going bad and creating a ripple effect are high. You could instead try to mark different potential risk sources and eliminate them right at the start. A proper risk management plan would help with this.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water regularly sounds simple, but it’s often easy to forget. If the workplace has no proper drinking water supply, bring your own. Try to blend water breaks and the aforementioned micro-breaks, so that you consume water at regular intervals.
