In a world-first study, researchers from the University of Sydney have found that in 2013, physical inactivity cost the global economy $67.5billion in healthcare costs and productivity losses.
An increasingly sedentary lifestyle comes at a cost to the economy, as the study published in the Lancet has revealed.
The study led by Dr Melody Ding, Senior Research Fellow from the University’s School of Public Health looked into healthcare costs of physical inactivity as well as productivity losses and disability adjusted life years for 5 major non-communicable diseases linked to inactivity, including breast cancer, coronary heart diseases, stroke, type 2 diabetes and colon cancer.
August is Tradies National Health month and tradies are being urged to pay particular attention to musculoskeletal disorders, the most common injuries among tradespeople.
WorkCover Queensland said it’s a good time for tradies to keep a check on their safety, health and wellbeing.
Musculoskeletal disorders are injuries that occur to the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissues, manifesting as conditions such as muscle sprain and strain, back pain, abdominal hernia, soft tissue injuries, fracture and dislocation, tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Musculoskeletal disorders can occur as a result of a sudden, singular event or over time.
Steel frame construction is popular because of a number of advantages which are highlighted in a post by a framing systems manufacturer on a popular architectural website. One of the main benefits that we may not have known is overall safety.
Some of theother benefits include:
Earthing of the steel frames reduces the chances of electrocution in the event of the frame being exposed to an electrical current.
Steel houses are less susceptible to lightning than timber frames.
They are fire resistant, which is particularly beneficial in bushfire prone areas.
Here are some useful tips to help you cut bricks safely using a brick saw. Even if this is something you’re good at, it doesnt hurt to brush up on safety.
National Safe Work Month may be over but that doesn’t mean we go back to old ways of flouting safety. Especially as the year draws to a close, it is important that safety remains at the top of the list of priorities on high risk work sites in the construction industry.
Source: SafeWorkAustralia.com.au
Whether you’re an experienced construction worker, just starting out or in management, you are at risk just by setting foot onto a construction site because you are at the mercy of your co-workers.
There are normally so many trades people working together at any time on a construction site, usually the site is confined and the actions of one person have implications for everyone around them. It’s important to co-ordinate tasks as much as possible but even then risks still exist. That is why everyone on site needs to be on the same page about safety.
First we need to identify the risks and come up a strategy to manage them – as a priority we should attempt to eliminate hazards altogether but this isn’t always possible.Control measures can ensure that risks are minimised if elimination of the hazard are not possible.
It’s up to site controllers to investigate potential hazards on the construction site before work can proceed but workers themselves should also evaluate their surroundings before proceeding with work and perhaps placing themselves in harm’s way.
Some of the dangers to look out for include unstable grounds, power lines and hazardous materials. It’s important to keep in mind that each site will vary and the hazards work presents will also differ from site to site.
Another important part of safety in the trade fields is Personal Protective Equipment. Although it is low down on the hierarchy of controls, when other controls aren’t enforceable, an item of PPE could be lifesaving.
Always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while at a construction site whether you are working or overseeing the work. Examples of PPE include hard hats, safety glasses, dust masks, gloves and the proper clothing like thick-soled construction boots.
Employees in the construction industry have a legal obligation to adhere to your employer’s health and safety requirements, including use of PPE.
Workers that refuse to cooperate with these safety policies may face disciplinary action or prosecution. Employers have a responsibility to pay for and provide PPE and employees must utilise it as required.
Employers and employees must work together to enhance site safety, of which training plays a crucial role. Workers need to be in possession of a White Card to prove that they have completed construction induction training. It’s up to employers to ensure all workers have this minimum accreditation and are provided with additional site and task specific safety training.
A study recently released by beyondblue looking into the mental health of new fathers and how workplaces can support them shows that first time fathers are at a greater risk of psychological distress.
The study showed that 39 per cent of fathers reported high levels of psychological distress in the first year of their new child’s life. Despite this distress, new fathers are reluctant to identify this stress with depression and anxiety because of the negative attitudes that exist towards mental health issues.
