Health checks for tradies

The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, and the Minister for Indigenous Health, Rural and Regional Health and Regional Services Delivery, Warren Snowdon, recently launched a new initiative to help Australian tradesmen focus on improving their health, urging men to take serious care of their number-one asset — their health.

“Just as utes, vans and trucks need regular tune-ups to keep them functioning at maximum efficiency, so do men require the same tune-ups,” Roxon said. “Tradies who complete the tune-up will receive a card stating their health results against normal or healthy levels together with recommendations for improvements.”

Snowdon added: “The OzHelp Foundation — a partnership between the ACT branches of the Master Builders Association and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union — should be commended for their work in improving the health of Australia’s tradies.”

The popular perception of construction workers and ‘tradies’ as fit, strong men, is not supported by the statistics that show that men working in manual occupations, like construction, have higher mortality rates, more disabilities and more serious chronic disease than other professions.

Statistically, they are also at greater risk of self-harm and suicide. Tradies also tend to be more obese and have higher levels of blood pressure. In 2001, they were 21% more obese than office workers.

The Tradies Tune-Up initiative — supported by $219,500 from the government — will monitor and check on the health of building and construction workers.

Under the initiative, a specially equipped van and accompanying health staff, including a registered nurse, will set up ‘pit-stops’ at construction and building sites testing workers in 20-minute sessions on their levels of cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose and waist size.

Workers will also receive advice on mental health, nutrition and alcohol consumption.

The government’s decision to develop a National Men’s Health Policy recognises that men have specific health needs and challenges. Consultations with stakeholders to inform the development of the policy are continuing around Australia and it is expected the policy will be finalised later this year.