Feb

The most dangerous trade professions and jobs in Britain revealed and safety tips for amateur DIYers

admin

The latest research by tradesperson comparison
site, HaMuch.com,
has found that the skilled trade occupations account for the highest rate of
non-fatal injuries as a percentage of all injuries sustained since 2016 and
with Spring approaching leading to more of us attempting DIY jobs at home,
they’ve provided a few basic tips to help avoid any unexpected accidents.

HaMuch.com
analysed Gov.uk
data and also found that skilled trades professionals were also most at risk of
musculoskeletal disorders such as Carpal Tunnel, Tendonitis and muscle and
ligament strain.

The data does provide one silver lining
however, with skilled trade professionals one of the least likely to suffer
from stress, depression and anxiety caused by work.

Tree surgeons top the table as the most
dangerous trade, with heights clearly a factor as tilers and scaffolders also
rank in the top three most dangerous trades.

Plumbers and bricklayers were the least likely
to be injured while at work, with electricians also ranking surprisingly low.

What is it doing the damage?

Contact and injury with power tools is the most
prevalent cause of accidents amongst the trades, closely followed by the same
contact with non-power tools.

Electrocution and lawnmower related injuries
also ranked high, along with incidents with ladders and misuse of tools.

It’s good to see that plenty of public health
announcements highlighting the importance of lifting with your knees are paying
off, as injury through lifting heavy items is currently the least common
injury.

Top tips to avoid injury

While accidents can happen in a professional
environment, these accidents can also be common within the house as more and
more of us take to DIY around the home in order to save money.

With that in mind, HaMuch.com,
has put together a few vital tips to remember when undertaking home
improvements yourself.

Know what you’re doing

This should always be the starting point but
more often than not we go wading in thinking we know what we’re doing. This
might be a harmless, albeit time-consuming approach to an Ikea flatpack, but
when you’re talking about the more tasking DIY jobs it can be costly. Always
read the manual on proper use and if you’re undertaking a job for the first
time, always do your research online first to get a comprehensive understanding
of the potential dangers involved.

The majority of accidents with power tools, in
particular, happen when improper use causes a lack of control, often down to
holding them incorrectly, our hands slipping into the blade or drill piece, or
the tool falling from our grip and causing injury to other areas of the body.

Always make sure you have a firm grasp in the
right areas and don’t try any unconventional manoeuvres even if you feel
comfortable using the tool itself.

Check the power

This is a major one when it comes to injury
through electrocution as well as the use of power tools. Undertaking electrical
work should always be done by a professional but one of the major causes of
injury both in the professional workspace and the home is starting work without
turning the power off first.

This also goes for power tools such as drills,
saws and garden tools. When you’ve finished using them turn the power off
either at the plug or on the tool itself if it’s cordless. This avoids any
injury from accidentally activating the tool while you aren’t in proper
control.

Concentrate and clear the area

Tradespeople carry out their work in a
professional capacity and even then accidents happen.

At home having the kids around, the football on
the TV or music on the radio can distract you from the work at hand and just a
few seconds of lapsed concentration can result in injury.

If you have a big job that requires the use of
dangerous tools or materials, clear the house from kids and other distractions
and then clear your work area from any trip hazards and obstructions.

Protect yourself

Protective gear is used in the trades for a
reason and while it may be hot, uncomfortable or make you feel a bit stupid,
opting to go without can increase the level of injury sustained during an
accident.

At the very least, pick up protection for your
eyes, a sturdy pair of gloves to protect from injury from tools or hazardous
substances, and if you’re lifting heavy objects invest in a pair of steel toe
cap boots.

Always work with or near someone

While you want to clear the house of
distractions, working with someone can dramatically reduce the risk of injury.
Not only can they hold materials while you work on them, they can also secure a
ladder and help lift heavy objects.

If an accident does happen, they can help
reduce the damage by turning off power tools, moving you from the dangerous
area, helping to apply pressure to a wound, calling an ambulance and alerting
them to where you are located.

Founder and CEO of HaMuch.com,
Tarquin Purdie, commented:

“You’re probably thinking that these tips go
without saying and they should, but all too often accidents in the trade
workplace and home are caused by neglecting the most basic of safety measures
either through choice or a momentary lapse of concentration.

If it can happen to a trained professional who
undertakes these tasks week in week out, it can certainly happen to the amateur
DIY enthusiast at the weekend and while your jobs at home may be more simple,
accidents can often happen with the easiest of tasks such as cutting wood,
going up a ladder, or changing a light switch.

You should always be 100% confident in your
abilities before attempting a job and if you’re not it can be more
cost-effective, as well as better for your health, to hire a tradesperson.
While you might think the cost of doing so is high, in many cases, there is
clearly a reason for this as they remain one of the most likely professions to
have an accident in the workplace and this danger is going to require a certain
cost.”

Non-fatal injury sustained in their current/most recent job (2016-2019)
Occupation	As a proportion of All occupations
Skilled trades occupations	22%
Elementary occupations	16%
Associate professional and technical occupations	13%
Caring, leisure and other service occupations	12%
Professional occupations	12%
Process, plant and machine operatives	9%
Sales and customer service occupations	6%
Managers, directors and senior officials	6%
Administrative and secretarial occupations	5%

Rates of self-reported musculoskeletal disorders caused by current job (2016-2019)
Occupation	As a proportion of All occupations
Skilled trades occupations	20%
Professional occupations	17%
Caring, leisure and other service occupations	12%
Elementary occupations	11%
Associate professional and technical occupations	10%
Process, plant and machine operatives	10%
Managers, directors and senior officials	7%
Sales and customer service occupations	7%
Administrative and secretarial occupations	5%

Rates of self-reported stress, depression, or anxiety caused by current job (2016-2019)
Occupation	As a proportion of All occupations
Professional occupations	32%
Associate professional and technical occupations	17%
Managers, directors and senior officials	10%
Administrative and secretarial occupations	10%
Caring, leisure and other service occupations	9%
Sales and customer service occupations	9%
Elementary occupations	6%
Skilled trades occupations	5%
Process, plant and machine operatives	3%
Source: Gov.uk

Most dangerous trades
Trade / occupation
Tree surgeon
Tiler (roofing)
Scaffolder
Builder
Roofer
Landscape gardener
Plasterer
Electrician
Bricklayer
Plumber
Source: Simply Business

DIY dangers
Power tool contact and injury
Non-power tool contact and injury
Electrocuted
Incident/injury with a lawnmower
Injured when using a ladder
Mis-use of tools and injury
Dust and dirt
Trips, slips, and falls
Contact with contaminants
Injured when lifting heavy items
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