If tradespeople could go back in time and visit their younger selves – the version of them at 20 who thought they were invincible – most would take the opportunity to hand themselves a pair of earmuffs and safety glasses. Then they’d tell them to put the bloody things on.
That’s a finding drawn from Specsavers’ latest research into the eye and ear health of tradespeople, with 89% of tradies over 40 saying they regretted not taking safety protection measures more seriously.
The same research uncovered an alarming trend amongst the younger group, aged 18 to 34 years old: 29% admitted to rarely wearing eye protection and 62% to rarely wearing hearing protection.
For Tradies National Health Month, Specsavers is urging young tradies to listen to their seasoned counterparts and drop the “she’ll be right” attitude about protective gear.
Getting a sense of the issue
Working on a construction site is rife with danger for the senses. Loud noises, flying debris and prolonged sun exposure present significant risk to the long-term health of ears and eyes.
Greeshma Patel is a Specsavers optometrist and says she’s noticed a lot of tradespeople needing treatment for eye problems.
“We often see acute eye problems in clinic, so that’s things that have happened on the job that day, and unfortunately, a lot of them could have been prevented just through wearing safety glasses at work,” she says.
Greeshma Patel, Specsavers optometrist
Specsavers research backs up Patel’s observation, with 39% of trades professionals aged 18 to 34 having experienced a workplace eye injury that required medical attention.
Patel says it’s not until these patients are in her chair being examined for serious eye injuries that they realise the value of preventive measures. It’s this laid-back attitude about eye protection that worries her.
“[Tradies are] not often seeing themselves in a situation where it could be unsafe for the eyes. But flying particles from digging and dusty environments can be really painful, first of all, and visually really challenging.”
Patel also notes that harsh UV rays from working long hours outdoors present a significant long-term threat. Prolonged sun exposure early in your life can lead to pterygiums, growths on the white of the eye, as well as cataracts and macular degeneration.
A construction site can also be an audiological nightmare, with near constant and loud sounds of machinery, banging, jackhammering and yelling.
Nick Taylor, chief audiologist of Specsavers Australia and New Zealand, says construction is one of the noisiest industries to work in, alongside hospitality and music.
“Hearing loss can occur sooner because of those noisy environments,” he says.
The devastating impact of losing your senses
Patel asks tradespeople to consider what the reality of vision loss would mean, not just for their career but their lifestyle: “To not be able to drive or to do the job that you need to do because you’ve lost vision is actually quite a devastating problem, especially in the working age group,” she says.
Damaged vision can result in a loss of independence, not to mention a significant hit to finances. And, Patel says, it can be painful. “When you get an acute injury to the eye, it’s one of the most sensitive parts of the body and it can be quite traumatic.”
Taylor says if they don’t take preventive measures, tradespeople and other workers in noisy industries can start displaying signs of hearing loss in their late 30s and early 40s – up to two decades earlier than the typical late 50s and early 60s.
Specsavers found 53% of tradespeople aged 18 to 34 already believed their hearing had worsened.
“People who work in noisy industries, construction, hospitality, musicians, and other similar industries, are having to get hearing aids sooner,” Taylor says. “Their hearing is deteriorating quicker because the noise is a significant contributor to hearing loss.”
Preventing irreversible damage
Patel and Taylor agree that when it comes to the health of your ears and eyes, prevention is key. This means always wearing safety glasses or polarised sunglasses, and donning good quality earmuffs or earplugs when loud machinery is running.
“Think about that hearing protection right from day one,” Taylor says, pointing out that once the tiny hairs in our ear – the stereocilia – have deteriorated, there’s no way to get them back.
It’s also helpful to be aware of what constitutes “noisy”. As a rule of thumb, Taylor says, “if you have to raise your voice to talk to somebody a metre away, you can assume that that sound level is starting to be hazardous to your hearing”.
To ensure you maintain good eye and ear health, Specsavers recommends getting a check at least every two years. Its professionals will be able to determine your quality of sight and hearing, and address any emerging issues.
Patel says: “Just like a high-visibility vest is there to help you be seen, safety glasses are there to help you continue to see. It’s about protecting your eyes but more importantly preserving your sight.”
As the research indicates, it can also prevent any future regret.
If you have noticed changes to your eyes, book an appointment with an optometrist, of if you have noticed changes to your hearing, book a free 15-minute hearing check* with a qualified audiology professional.
Find a store to book your optical or hearing check today.
*If further assessment is required, a fee may be incurred.
