Australian tradies are facing a growing crisis when it comes to workplace safety.
A recent survey by the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) found that over 90% of tradies experienced work-related injuries or pain in the past year. This alarming statistic highlights the need for increased awareness and action to protect these vital members of the workforce.
August marks Tradies National Health Month, an initiative of APA to raise awareness of the workplace health and safety risks facing tradespeople. “Tradespeople face significant workplace hazards, ranging from silica dust exposure, to working at heights, operating forklifts and an assortment of psychosocial factors,” says Stephen Blackie, Portfolio Manager, Workplace Health & Safety Show.
“The introduction of new regulations, such as the NSW Manslaughter Bill, leave no room for complacency or poor OHS management of these risks,” adds Stephen. “It’s essential that employers and tradespeople stay up to date on best practices and implement the necessary safety programs to safeguard the wellbeing of tradespeople.”
“The Show exhibition features over 160 suppliers, showcasing the latest products, technologies and services to enhance the safety and wellbeing of tradespeople across industries,” adds Stephen. “It provides the ideal opportunity to source solutions to workplace health and safety challenges.”
Exhibitors include:
- PPE and safety equipment companies, such as Milwaukee Tools, Maxisafe, JB’s Wear, and Hire Rite Temporary Fence
- Training certification specialists – including Just Careers, Kalibr Training, Intertek Inform
- Wearables, software and tech suppliers – including Duress, IA Health Group, SafeTcard Australia, and WHS Monitor
- Employee wellbeing specialists like Hydralyte, Black Dog Institute and CU Health.
Addressing key risks and concerns
In addition to the exhibition, Workplace Health & Safety Show offers a dedicated Construction Health & Safety Summit, where experts will address some of the most pressing safety and wellbeing risks facing Australian tradespeople.
Some of these risks include:
- Falls from height: The leading cause of injury hospitalisation and death in Australia, responsible for 43% of injury hospitalisations and 42% of injury deaths, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
- Crystalline silica dust exposure: The Lung Foundation of Australia’s NSPS Scientific and Evidence Report on Silicosis in Australia revealed that 41% of the silicosis compensation claims recorded by Safe Work Australia between 2000 and 2019, were in the construction industry. “The ban on engineered stone, which came into effect on 1 July 2024, is a positive step, with additional regulations of silica-containing materials due for introduction in September. It’s important for tradies and their employers to understand the new regulations and get across the safety interventions that protect workers from silica dust exposure,” notes Stephen.
- Mental health concerns: The Black Dog Institute survey of construction workers found that 1 in 4 workers has symptoms of depression or anxiety, thanks to the high demands of the job.
- Forklift-related injuries: SafeWork NSW recorded 1,538 forklift-related incidents between 2017 and 2022 (approximately 307 incidents annually). WorkSafe Victoria data, meanwhile, reveals that more than one worker is seriously injured in forklift-related incidents every week.
The Construction Health & Safety Summit seminar sessions will include:
- Breathe Freely: Practical strategies for silica safety in the workplace
- Constructive Conversations: Navigating mental health in the construction industry
- Managing injuries and falls in construction
- And much more.
Creating a safe, healthy and productive workforce
Offering 40 hours of free educational content across 50 sessions, delivered by over 75 industry leaders and subject matter experts, Workplace Health & Safety Show will empower employers and tradespeople with the knowledge they need to achieve regulatory compliance and become champions for workplace safety.
“Workplace Health & Safety Show is Australia’s largest single gathering of safety professionals, where visitors will find everything, they need to create safer, happier and more productive workplaces for all employees – including our tradies,” concludes Stephen.
For more details about the Show and to register for free, visit whsshow.com.au/sydney.
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