As trained health providers in injury rehabilitation and risk management, we see a range of musculoskeletal conditions that can have impact on employee performance. We share some information and tips to help you further understand workplace influences and strategies to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders.

WHAT IS MUSCULOSKELETAL (MSK) PAIN? 

Musculoskeletal pain, discomfort, or injury is experienced in the muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and nerves!
MSK pain and/or disorders can be caused by simple sprain/strain events or movements, or they can be more complex and be predisposed by underlying disease states. MSK conditions can also build over a period fo time from prolonged physical demands placed on the body.

Examples of MSK injuries and disorders. 

Some of the MSK conditions that commonly present to us can include, but not limited to:

Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)  –  Joint Sprains  –  Articular Joint Dysfunction  –  Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Bursitis  –  Shoulder Impingement/Tendonitis  –  Rotator Cuff Strains/Tears

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Nerve Entrapments. –  Tenosynovitis –  Sacro-illiac   – Joint Sprains  –  Lower back pain

Lumbar Disc Lesions  –  Hypertonicity, and much more!!

Injury and musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 88.5% of 2017-18 serious claims.
Of these, the most common were Traumatic joint/ligament and muscle/tendon injuries, accounting for 41 per cent of all injury and musculoskeletal disorders claims.
Safe Work Australia – Australia Workers’ Compensation Statistics 2017-18

CONTRIBUTORS TO WORKPLACE MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS (WMSDs)
Whilst MSK conditions can be affected by a combination of factors, workplace conditions and the inherent physical demands of the job can have significant impact. These include:

• Tasks with prolonged repetition of body movement
• Amount of physical force required to complete the task
• Speed or pace of movement
• Temperature and surfaces
• Weight and size of handled objects
• Physical and mental pressures
• Presence of vibration
• Body positioning

“Onsite strategic intervention, using a combination of the most RELEVANT, PRACTICAL and EFFECTIVE risk management methods, will produce maximum results.”
Darragh McGovern, Operations Manager, Work Healthy Australia

HOW CAN WORKPLACES REDUCE THE RISK OF MSK CONDITIONS?
Workplaces can have an enormous impact on safety, the physical demands placed on a worker and employee wellbeing. This can lead to reduced injury frequency, significant improvements in production output and an improved employee culture through improved workplace satisfaction. Starting with small and effective changes, with a proactive mindset, the risks of physical and mental injury can be reduced.

Some effective examples include:

• Onsite early MSK intervention treatment
• Patient reporting & monitoring
• Task analysis and Risk assessments
• Monitoring hours and breaks
• Stretching / conditioning programs
• Manual handling training
• Task-specific manual handling training
• Task and procedures training
• Strong safety culture
• Tools and equipment including conditions
• Pre employment screenings and new-employee job matching
• Protective Gear (PPE)
  

When evaluating your workplace health, safety & wellbeing programs, ensure outsourced providers have a thorough understanding of the nature of your business and the demands of the different roles.
This will help educate stakeholders and assist placement of better suited employees as well as appropriate rehabilitation and return to work programs.
Watch our short video on how Work Healthy Australia work with businesses across Australia.