CSR Gyprock has taken the initiative to work alongside Arthritis NSW, to inform plasterers of best practices to assist in preventing and managing arthritis, with the aim to prolong their career and
improve general well being.

According to Safe Work Australia, between 2010 – 2011 and 2014 – 2015, tradies made up 30% of Australia’s workforce, but represented 58% of serious claims for workers’ compensation. The rate of incidence was three times the rate of all other occupations with around 190 serious claims made each day.

Musculoskeletal disorders, of which the most common type being arthritis, are a serious health problem that makes up 15% of the compensation claims.

By 2050, Arthritis NSW projects that there will be 7 million people affected by arthritis, with 2.4 million being of working age. Over half of $7.6 billion related to arthritis is attributed to productivity costs reflecting reduced employment rates and an increase in absenteeism, resulting from arthritic conditions.

To prevent, protect and reduce the impact of arthritis, Arthritis NSW health services manager Andrew Cairns has overseen the development of a series of simple videos demonstrating stretching and safe lifting techniques. These can be accessed via Club Gyprock or the Arthritis NSW website.

“The exercises are easy to implement on a daily basis taking around 10 minutes a day, and can have a profound effect on minimising injury, maintaining correct posture and ensuring longevity in the workplace,” Andrew says.

“After a hard day’s work, spending 10 to 15 minutes in a heated pool doing simple stretching will help to maintain proper function and sooth sore joints. A warm shower can also be effective for sore joints.”

Gyprock has worked with Arthritis NSW to communicate these prevention options to ensure the long- term health of the plastering industry workforce and has produced videos demonstrating warm up and cool down exercises for tradies.