Tradies National Health Month: addressing injuries for our workers

August is Tradies National Health Month, a movement run by the Australian Physiotherapy Association that highlights the importance of tradies' health and wellbeing. The physical demands of trades work can lead to serious injuries, making this month an important opportunity to raise awareness of injury prevention, encourage safer workplaces and remind workers of their rights if they're injured on the job.

Tradies, including electricians, plumbers, builders, and other skilled workers, often work in high-risk environments where they're exposed to a greater risk of workplace injury.

Alarmingly, more than 90% of tradies experienced work-related injuries or pain in the previous year, with 90% of these injuries caused or worsened by work, according to a survey conducted by the Australian Physiotherapy Association. The survey also found that 92% of respondents experienced pain, injury, or niggles in three different body parts over the previous year. The most common complaints were pain or injury affecting the knees, back, shoulders, wrists and hands, feet and ankles, neck, and hips.

Physical injuries among Queensland tradies

Across Queensland, 100,722 new workers' compensation claims were lodged in 2024–25. While the overall claim rate fell slightly to 34 claims per 1,000 employed people, the average time lost from work increased to 70 days, and the average cost of a time-lost claim rose to almost $29,000, reinforcing the significant impact workplace injuries continue to have on workers, employers and the broader community.

Source: Queensland workers' compensation scheme statistics 2024-25 (per 1000 employed people)

The Queensland Workers' Compensation Scheme Statistics for 2024-2025 continue to highlight the risks faced by tradies in Queensland. Manufacturing recorded the highest statutory claim rate in the scheme, with 66.2 claim lodgements per 1,000 workers, while wholesale trade (52.3), public administration and safety (48.8), agriculture, forestry and fishing (42.2), construction (39.7), and transport, postal and warehousing (33.3) all recorded claim rates at or close to the scheme average of 34 claims per 1,000 workers. Construction alone recorded 11,230 statutory claims during the year.

Safe Work Australia provides a breakdown of work-related injuries and illnesses classified as a serious claim. A serious claim includes accepted workers' compensation claims resulting in a total absence from work of one working week or more.

The Safe Work Australia report highlights that 33% of all serious injury claims involved musculoskeletal disorders, generally caused by manual handling tasks such as lifting, bending and carrying heavy materials.

Unsurprisingly, 22% of all claims resulted from falls, trips and slips. The risk of falling is ever-present for many tradies, whether working on scaffolding, ladders or roofs. These incidents often result in severe injuries, including fractures, head trauma and, in some cases, fatalities.

Safe Work Australia's latest serious claims data continues to show that being hit by moving objects remains one of the leading causes of serious workplace injuries for Australian workers, alongside musculoskeletal injuries and falls. Employers and workers alike need to remain vigilant about the ongoing risks posed by moving vehicles, machinery and materials on worksites.

In Queensland, there were 65 fatal workers' compensation claim lodgements in 2024–25, with almost half (29 claims) resulting from injuries sustained at work. Construction recorded the highest number of fatal claims (14), followed by transport, postal and warehousing (9) and manufacturing (6), highlighting the ongoing risks faced by workers in these industries

Preventative measures must come first

There are several practical steps tradies and employers can take to help prevent workplace injuries:

• invest in and complete appropriate training and certification
• wear and correctly use personal protective equipment (PPE)
• follow safe manual handling techniques
• regularly inspect, maintain and replace equipment where necessary
• implement and follow workplace safety procedures
• keep worksites clean, organised and free from hazards
• have regular health checks and address injuries early before they worsen

What to do if you've suffered an injury at work

Read: 5 steps to take if you're injured in a work accident

If you're a tradie who has been injured at work, it's important to report your injury to your employer as soon as possible, preferably in writing. You should also obtain a medical certificate from your own GP and lodge a workers' compensation claim through WorkCover Queensland.

While an employer may ask you to attend a "company doctor", you have the right to see your own treating doctor, who can independently assess your injury and provide ongoing care.

We're here to help

You may be entitled to compensation if you or a family member can't work because of a workplace injury or illness.

Contact us to talk to one of our experienced lawyers about your rights and entitlements, or use our free claim check tool to find out if you’re eligible.

Dedicated workers' compensation claim lawyers

Our specialist work injury lawyers are here to help. If you've suffered a workplace injury that has affected your physical or psychological wellbeing, we can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you're entitled to, so you can focus on your recovery.