ECN Forum
Posted By: doggz109 physical demands of the trade - 11/23/05 12:46 AM
Hello everyone! This will be sort of long but I just had a few questions regarding the physical toll this trade can take on your body.

I am a new apprentice (have been working 6 months) and I have been enjoying working in this trade and learning as much as possible. I am enrolled in a NECA/NJATC program with my local union and have rotated between many commercial projects so far.

My question revolves around the physical toll this work takes on you. At least half the journeymen I have worked with have had surgery to correct a problem that was caused by the trade. A good number more live with chronic aches and pains and more than a few are using legal and illegal drugs to combat the pain.

I'm young and in fairly decent shape and even I am starting to develop some chronic pain in my wrists and ankles that wasn't there 6 months ago. Is this common for the trade? Do most craftsmen just live with it their entire lives? Are there things I can do to slow this "wearing down" process? I know we all get older but a lost of these guys are in their late 30's and early 40's and some have had 3-4 surgeries already!

I want to continue in this trade but I am starting to have my doubts if it is going to wear down my body this much. Don't get me wrong - I am a very hard worker and I'm not just complaining about working hard or dealing with a few aches and pains. I'm talking about real cumulative damage to your body. Any thoughts or advice on this topic is appreciated. Thanks!
Posted By: Out Of Phase Re: physical demands of the trade - 11/23/05 01:09 AM
A E/C I work with sometimes who's a lot older than me and has been in the trade a long time insists on me either kneeling on a cushion or using knee pads, he has to take medication for the pain from years of kneeling on concrete and on steel, so start from the beginning and use knee protection!
Posted By: hbiss Re: physical demands of the trade - 11/23/05 03:18 AM
No doubt this trade can take it's toll on your body- back, knees and wrists are common complaints. But if guys in their late 30's and early 40's required multiple surgeries because of job related injuries something is wrong. That's not typical and if you are begining to see problems yourself after only 6 months perhaps you need to look closer at your work habits and maybe even what you are required to do.

-Hal
Posted By: gfretwell Re: physical demands of the trade - 11/23/05 03:38 AM
Crawling around on the floor is probably the worst thing on your body. Knee pads or using some kind of seat/toolbox is probably the best solution but you won't really be willing to do either until you are already injured. Don't "duck walk"!
I also managed to come up with arthritus in my thumbs and carpel tunnel.

Use eye protection all the time. Sparks, flying objects and errant wires can "put your eye out".
Posted By: Jps1006 Re: physical demands of the trade - 11/23/05 04:18 AM
Don't be a macho man. I have little respect for the guy who will throw 400' 1/2 EMT on his shoulder. My limit is 200' unless I'm still warming up, then 100.

I would recommend from personal experience to excercise. Don't consider physical labor as exercise. A good workout invloves high heart rate and intake of fluids, there is a physical change that occurs when you saturate a working muscle with oxygen saturated blood. Stretches and form. Light weight high rep, again no need to be macho.

I recommend a spa type gym verses the muscle head type, but that works better for what motivates me.

Again, all this from personal experience. When I consistantly got to the gym (over due, will be getting back soon) my chiropractor visits were greatly reduced, my knees, back and shoulder never felt better. Plus I found those sore (good sore, workout sore) muscles helped keep good form when doing heavy work, reducing the risk of injury.
Posted By: e57 Re: physical demands of the trade - 11/23/05 06:36 AM
Mmmmm... Pain!

Let's see.... Can't sleep do to lower back pain sometimes. Knees hurts so bad when the rainy season starts that I think about using a cane, like I thought about on my way home today. But thats due to herititary arthrisis and various other injuries. (Including falling off ladders and scaffolding. And bike wrecks, street fighting, and break dancing when that was cool...) Wrist aches periodicaly... That said, I never need more than a few aspirin, and I reserve them for the hard days! If someone needs illegal drugs to manage pain, they did not get that injury at work, (unless they are a burn victim) sounds like an excuse for entertainment to me.

My advice... Knee pads or Skillers Pants (With built in knee pads) They have actually helped me alot. Lift correctly, and do not over exert. Back brace if nessesary for heavey lifting, it will keep you from abdominal hernia, and if worn often is a great reminder for good posture. Avoid repeatitive motion on the wrists, and use lighter wieght, more ergonomic tools. Knipex and WiHa make fine lightwieght ergonomic tools. Avoid being that moron with all the tools he doesn't use all day in bags that weigh 25lbs not including the 10lb 18v over-powered hammerdrill/drill used as a screwdriver that he does everything with. If your doing commercial jobs, there is also nothing wrong with having your own rubbermaid cart personalized for the long haul with over-sized phematic tires and a small radio. Demand a clean work site for easy rolling of your ride, and it will probhably due well for your ankles too if you're not stumbling over crap on the floor. If not sweep it aside yourself...
Posted By: renosteinke Re: physical demands of the trade - 11/23/05 03:42 PM
I'm quickly coming up on 50....and so far, I've been blessed.

My aches & pains tend to be of the dull, annoying sort you usually get from doing more of something in one day than you've done in the past six months. Stay off the lader for a bit- then spen a day changing lights...I'll feel it at the end of the day!

More annoying has been a lesser amount of flexibility and agility.

Our trade isn't one that requires extreme physical strength or stamina. Unlike some trades, we don't spend all day in one position. And, as we gain experience, we seem to spend less time pulling wire and more time trouble-shooting and hooking up controls.

Doggz, what you describe sounds like a simple case of you're developing some muscles you never knew you had. The same thing happens in boot camp; all sorts of mystery aches show up as you start doing things you've never done before. Something as simple as hanging a radio on your belt will cause some stiffness, until your body adjusts.
Posted By: lamplighter Re: physical demands of the trade - 11/23/05 03:55 PM
As a union apprentice, your instructor should have already told not to lift anything by yourself that you can lift with two people. As for the demands of the trade, you will see many, many small cuts and scrapes from commercial grade flourescent fixtures, sore ankles from ladder work, sore knees from kneeling, sore back from installing receptacles over kitchen cabinets, pulled muscles in your back from pulling the bigger wire, sore thumbs from pushing wires back into boxes, etc.
My suggestions would be to get the most comfortable work boots you can afford, always wear your PPE (hardhat, safety glasses, gloves when needed)and work smarter rather than harder.
I am a third gen. electrician after my father and great uncle and both of them made it out of the trade relatively unscathed. My dad still has minor problems with his knees but, at his age it's to be expected.
Just take it as easy as is feasible and don't take unnecessary risks. You'll be fine.
Posted By: Fred Re: physical demands of the trade - 11/23/05 09:40 PM
My uncle(wife's side) is also an electrical contractor. He doesn't allow anyone to sit down on his jobs(mostly residential)when roughing or trimming out receptacles. I think he's an idiot, and a cold hearted one at that. I insist my help seek the most comfortable positions to work in, within reason. This guy makes everyone do things the hard way and then complains about worker's comp claims. What's the point in that? I provide roller stools, knee pads, gloves, safety glasses, portable fans in hot weather and LP heaters in the cold. I also provide good strippers, dikes, screwdrivers and lineman's to work with. Whatever makes the job easier while maintaining/improving quality. Everybody wins.
Posted By: Trumpy Re: physical demands of the trade - 11/24/05 12:08 AM
Hi there doggz,
Welcome to ECN!. [Linked Image]
We had a similar thread here a while back.
You can see it here .

Hope this helps.
Posted By: trollog Re: physical demands of the trade - 11/24/05 04:41 AM
Well I have hardly had an ache or a pain that a good night's sleep didn't cure. My own suspicion is that guys who get hurt are taking risks or pushing themselves past safe limits. I totally agree with reno's assesment that you sometimes exercise muscles you didn't know you had.. Also I have met many a guy who complained about their aches and pains, but they were caused by injuries they got outside of work- motorcycle crashes, skiing accidents etc.. now you can't really blame that on the work in the trade. My bigggest chronic complaint are the little scratches and cuts or splinters that I accidentally inflict upon myself while working, but aside from a scar or two it really doesn't take a long term toll on your health.. a 3 day weekend fixes most cuts and scratches [Linked Image]
Posted By: luckyshadow Re: physical demands of the trade - 11/24/05 01:34 PM
Just a few things from my personal experience.
1) KNEEPADS are a MUST! Don't be shamed into not using them by others- Trust me.
I have the knee pain to verify this

2) Sturdy work boots. I always advise to stay away from those hiking type boots. Go with top of the line leather over the ankle supportive boots. It's real easy to turn your ankle on the job site.

3) Safety Glasses - You only have one set of eyes and they can't be replaced.

4) Lift correctly - How macho is it to pull your back out and spend a week in pain ?

And here's one that most guys don't speak of. Use top quality tools! I refuse to use sub standard tools . They just break and end up costing you money or worse INJURE you.
Posted By: Tom Re: physical demands of the trade - 11/24/05 02:22 PM
As I become more chronologically gifted, I have noticed more minor aches & pains & stiffness. All of which reacts well to aspirin or ibuprofen.

The biggest problem I have is a hearing loss (not severe & probably partially due to age) . When I started, hearing protection was not an issue. So I would add using ear plugs to the list. of PPE

Treat your feet well, when they hurt, so does the rest of your body. Cheap boots just don't cut it.

Treat you knees good too, don't squat when putting in receptacles. This will catch up with you.

I've noticed more sharp edges on electrical equipment in the past few years (maybe its my thin skin), so I've taken to wearing pigskin gloves most of the time. These gloves are so soft, I can still deal with small scres. Everytime I retire a pair, I'm amazed at how many nicks & cuts the gloves have accumulated.

Basically what I think everyone is saying is that if you take care of yourself & not try to be a tough guy, barring an accident, you should be OK.

Tom
Posted By: doggz109 Re: physical demands of the trade - 11/25/05 07:23 AM
Thanks for all the good advice guys! It is much appreciated.
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