It’s pretty cool to be working on your gains while you’re working on-site, but because of the nature of the work, tradies can get hit with the big bad f-word quite often. We’re talking about fatigue, or extreme tiredness, where you’re finding it hard to keep your eyes open and you’re struggling to concentrate on the job. Sound familiar? Here are some great ways to help you kick fatigue right where it hurts.

Take regular breaks

Seems like a no-brainer, but if the job is a particularly tough one, you’ll need to keep up your strength by stopping for a breather every now and then. If you’re working crazy long hours, try and plan out your breaks and stick to them, and make sure you’re taking a couple days off in between big jobs. You might think you don’t have time, but you’re more likely to get the job done faster and better when you’re fresh and raring to go.

Use the right tools for the job

There’s no point killing yourself with hand-held tools when there might be bigger machinery that could get it done in half the time. Don’t waste energy doing something that could be done better with a different tool or machine, and if it’s a big job, get everyone in the team to chip in and share the load. It’s not about showing how much you can handle, it’s about getting the job done better and avoiding turning you into a zombie.

Keep it interesting

If you’re doing the same thing for hours on end, of course you’re going to get tired of it, and pretty soon the fatigue will set in. Make it easier on yourself and everyone else by switching jobs with your team-mates every couple of hours or so. It’ll give you a chance to try something else and keep you from getting bored out of your mind!

Avoid the extremes

Try to avoid working when it’s extremely hot or extremely cold – your boss should be all over this, but sometimes needs must with a deadline looming, and you might not have much of a choice. But you probably know that you are absolutely not on form when you’re sweating like crazy in the scorching sun or trying to stop your fingers from falling off when it’s bloody freezing.

They key is to let your boss know when you’ve had it and you’re starting to feel like sh*t – yes, tiredness and fatigue might be something you’ll have to go through sometimes, but if it’s going to make you sick and cost you work when you have days off then it’s important to talk about it.

Look after yourselves lads and ladies!