Health Insurance and Skilled Trade/Craftsmen

When constructing houses, you become valuable as a craftsman. Also, without the specialized skills of electricians, plumbers, construction workers and carpenters, maintaining homes would be impossible. However, as a craftsman, you face an endless number of hazards, and require a quality health plan.

Practice your trade safely. Ask for a free health insurance quote!

Job Hazards for Craftsmen

Craftsmen encounter several occupational hazards, such as:

• Accident hazards: injuries from falling objects (i.e. debris, tools, building materials), electric shock; injuries from hand tools; fires; bites from animals; explosions; falls from ladders, scaffolds, etc.; flying particles; injuries due to scaffolds collapsing; burns; slips and trips
• Biological hazards: exhaustion; diseases due to mosquitoes, rodents, parasites; bacteria; fungi; molds; cancer risk caused by wood dust
• Chemical hazards: exposure to thinners, solvents, adhesives, greases, tar
• Physical hazards: exposure to noise from tools; extreme weather; UV radiation; cold and heat stress

The daily occupational hazards that you face when conducting your work as a craftsman, can result in several health challenges. These can include exhaustion, overexertion, psychological stress, musculoskeletal injuries, etc.

Labor Unions Provide Excellent Health Care

Many craftsmen become members of a union. These workers’ organizations represent their members and strive to improve aspects of the worker’s life, including benefits such as health care. Thus, members of unions tend to enjoy excellent health care coverage. One study by the U.S. government involving workers of private companies, revealed that approximately half of union workers receive health insurance benefits that are paid in full. In contrast, only about one-third of non-union workers receive such benefits!

Self-Employed and Self-Insured

Other craftsmen work as self-employed independent contractors. This means that you become exempt from paying taxes such as social security taxes. However, the major drawback is that you lack the various benefits that you can enjoy when working for a particular company. Nonetheless, health insurance remains vital for those who are self-employed. If you are self-employed, you will have difficulty securing health insurance if you already have health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, or obesity. Also, some states have a “high-risk pool” that could cover you, but the premiums could be twice as high as standard health care plans! As a self-employed worker, you can obtain insurance directly, or get the assistance of a health insurance agent. While the latter option will be more costly, an agent has much knowledge and experience about their clients’ situation.

As a craftsman, you build people’s homes, unclog their water pipes, or supply power for their appliances and electronic gadgets. You deserve quality health care, due to your dedication and the dangers that you encounter every day you work!

Craftsmen find the right health plan! Get a free quote from a licensed agent today.

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