Seventeen years of lifting large trays laden with baked goods and lugging around 25 kilogram bags of flour finally took their toll on tradie Gonzalo Pena.
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The 47-year-old was forced to give up his day job as a baker after the years of heavy lifting were compounded by a workplace accident.
His story mirrors that of many a tradie - with Safe Work Australia figures revealing that one in five workplace injuries involve a tradesperson.
Many suffer in silence with the "she'll be right, mate" attitude leaving many to neglect their health according to the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA).
The APA will kick off the annual Tradies National Health Month on August 1, hoping to hammer home to tradies the importance of looking after themselves.
"When I started out I was young, strong and fit and it was nothing to lift hundreds of trays during a 10-hour shift and big bags of flour and other ingredients," Mr Pena said.
"Aches and pains were just part of the job, but after a workplace accident I suffered a rotator cuff tear, a labrum tear and nerve damage in my neck.
"Three operations and a lot of physio later I'm gradually improving, but I've been forced to give up my job," he said. "I wish I'd taken some preventative health measures, and had more information about workplace safety."
Illawarra Physiotherapy's Beraldo Lilli sees many patients like Mr Pena - those who only seek help as a last resort.
During the awareness month in August, he encouraged the region's tradies to invest in their health.
"The majority of tradies have pain for a period of time before they get an assessment," Mr Lilli said.
"The classic patient I see may have coped with a shoulder injury for many months, and by the time they come to see me it's quite aggravated and inflamed and may then take far longer for them to recover.
"I'd advise tradies to take some preventative measures to ensure their long-term health, as well as think about workplace modifications they can make to minimise the risk of injury and harm."
In its third year, the annual campaign focuses on tradie health (physical and psychological) and workplace safety.
APA national president Marcus Dripps said every day across the country, 10 tradies were badly injured at work.
He said tradies need to start putting their health first.