National Tradies Month (August)

Your three-step guide to making it home safe

When it comes to your tools, you always make sure they’re well maintained and in tip-top shape -You know they’re the key to making money and putting food on the table for your family.

Unfortunately, there’s one piece of kit that is ignored all too often when it comes to a tradies toolbox.  With Tradies accounting for nearly 60 per cent of all injuries In Australian workplaces^[1], many are suffering physically and their bodies are taking the toll of back-breaking activity.

National Tradies Month is an initiative dedicated to improving the health of Australia’s tradespeople. 

Injuries and time spent off work have the potential to impact families, our health system and the wider community – That’s why we’re taking the first step and offering some helpful tips that are sure to get you home safe to your family, friends and loved ones.

Don’t Ignore Exercise
Trade work is incredibly physical work.  Because of this, it’s easy to forego exercise and stretching as a way of keeping your muscles relaxed and in working order.

Don’t be put off by the thought of going for a run or taking up a yoga class!  There are plenty of ways to get your heart rate going, whether it’s joining a local football club (when was the last time you laced up the boots?) or even taking your dog for a walk when you come home from work.

Be Sun Safe
We’re lucky to live in a sunburnt country – unfortunately, the side effects of increased UV radiation and Sun exposure are nothing to be sniffed at.  As tradespeople, it’s hard to avoid the harsh rays of the sun at work.  However, with two in three Australians being diagnosed with Skin Cancer by the time they’re 70^[2], it’s never been a better time to take the first step and prepare yourself for the scorching summer ahead.

Time spent at the doctors thanks to melanomas or skin cancers is important time that could be spent at work – Remember to slip slop slap, stay in the shade during lunch and morning tea breaks and always stay hydrated while on the work site.

Supplementing with Ubiquinol
Ringing up clients, organising materials and teaching an apprentice the right way to secure an L-bracket onto an isolated peer.  It’s a dizzying list, and staying on top of your game is almost as hard as the list of demands being thrown at you from sunrise to sunset.

If you’re feeling fatigued, you’re not alone – physically demanding work and long hours takes its toll on all professionals.  However, there are some natural solutions that could help manage your energy levels.  Ubiquinol is the active form of naturally occurring antioxidant CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) and may be a simple solution to making sure you stay alert and safe on the worksite.

Our natural levels of Ubiquinol decline as we age, making it increasingly harder to function at our prime and keep up with busy family life. Adding an ubiquinol supplement may help low energy levels and assist in maintaining overall health.

Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare practitioner

^[1] https://www.etuvic.com.au/ETUV/Your_Union/News/Tradies_National_Health_Month.aspx

^[2] https://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/types-of-cancer/skin-cancer.html