General News
17 August, 2023
Eyes right for tradies' sight
Wimmera optometrist Michael Peter has a message for the region's tradies: "Protect your sight." Mr Peter spoke out during Tradies Health Awareness Month, which continues through August. His warning was prompted by industry research that showed 89...
Wimmera optometrist Michael Peter has a message for the region's tradies: "Protect your sight."
Mr Peter spoke out during Tradies Health Awareness Month, which continues through August.
His warning was prompted by industry research that showed 89 per cent of tradies would tell their younger selves to take more care to protect their eyes and ears while working.
As seasoned tradespeople in the Wimmera remind the younger generation to better protect their senses from injury on the jobsite, optometrists such as Mr Peter and audiology professionals are echoing their message.
Mr Peter urged the more than 3000 labourers and tradespeople who are at risk in the Wimmera to be vigilant in looking after their eyes and ears on the job to avoid long-term, often preventable and in some cases irreversible damage to their eyesight and hearing.
The research found that younger tradies were already reporting concerns over worksite damage, with:
* 75 per cent concerned about sun damage to their eyes
* 37 per cent having already incurred at least one eye injury
* 53 per cent saying their hearing had worsened over time
Yet, many younger tradies are still taking a "she’ll be right" approach, with 26 per cent rarely or only occasionally wearing protective goggles or sunglasses onsite and 70 per cent not always wearing hearing protection.
"We would really like all tradies – particularly those aged 18-34 – to understand the importance of taking preventative measures to look after their hearing and eyesight," Mr Peter said.
"Once you lose it, there is no getting it back.
"We often see older tradies come in citing their workplaces as the reason for their hearing being worse than it used to be or attributing work-related sun damage to their eyes.
"These younger tradies could learn from their older colleagues and start to get serious about ear and eye protection on the job site."
Mr Peter, of Specsavers Horsham, said taking small precautions such as wearing polarised sunglasses, safety goggles and earmuffs could have huge benefits in years to come.
Anyone who is working in a noisy environment or outdoors and who has noticed changes to their hearing or eyesight can book a free 15-minute hearing check and an eye test (bulk billed for all Medicare card-holders) during Tradies Health Awareness Month.