Construction and utilities

Every year in NSW construction and utilities industries more than 1800 people are seriously injured or suffer from illness related to manual handling. This represents about 30 per cent of all injuries from these industries.

This costs NSW construction and utilities workplaces about $48 million a year in direct costs.

Generally manual handling in construction and utilities industries affects the back, shoulder, knees, abdomen and pelvic region. The most common injuries include sprains and strains, damage to muscles and tendons, and hernia problems.

Black spots
Manual handling injuries in construction and utilities industries are often caused when lifting or carrying sheet metal and timber, bricks, tiles, concrete and clay.

Occupations that are black spots for manual handling injuries include:
  • structural tradespeople
  • labourers
  • electricians
  • plumbers.
Sectors within construction and utilities industries that are prone to manual handling injuries include:
  • road and bridge construction
  • concreting
  • plumbing
  • electrical services.

WorkCover has a number of resources to help you address manual handling problems in the construction and utilties industries.

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