Once assessment and planning have been completed, including analysis of the collected data, the next step is implementing the strategies and interventions that will comprise the workplace health program. The intervention descriptions for Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) include the public health evidence-base for each intervention, details on designing interventions related to Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD), and links to examples and resources. Show Before implementing any interventions, the evaluation plan should also be developed. Potential baseline, process, health outcomes, and organizational change measures for these programs are listed under evaluation of WMSD prevention programs. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) are conditions in which:
In 1997, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released a review of evidence for work-related MSDs. Examples of work conditions that may lead to WMSD include routine lifting of heavy objects, daily exposure to whole body vibration, routine overhead work, work with the neck in chronic flexion position, or performing repetitive forceful tasks. This report identified positive evidence for relationships between work conditions and MSDs of the neck, shoulder, elbow, hand and wrist, and back.1 The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor defines MSDs as musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diseases and disorders when the event or exposure leading to the case is bodily reaction (e.g., bending, climbing, crawling, reaching, twisting), overexertion, or repetitive motion. MSDs do not include disorders caused by slips, trips, falls, or similar incidents. Examples of MSDs include:
Musculoskeletal disorders are associated with high costs to employers such as absenteeism, lost productivity, and increased health care, disability, and worker’s compensation costs. MSD cases are more severe than the average nonfatal injury or illness.
Examples of common WMSDs are discussed below. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)The U.S. Department of Labor defines CTS as a disorder associated with the peripheral nervous system, which includes nerves and ganglia located outside the spinal cord and brain. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the compression of the median nerve at the wrist, which may result in numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle atrophy in the hand and fingers.4
Back injury and back painBack symptoms are among the top ten reasons for medical visits. For 5% to 10% of patients, the back pain becomes chronic.5-6
Data from scientific studies of primary and secondary interventions indicate that low back pain can be reduced by:
ArthritisThe term arthritis is used to describe more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions that affect joints, the tissues which surround the joint and other connective tissue. The pattern, severity and location of symptoms can vary depending on the specific form of the disease. Forty-six million Americans report that a doctor told them they have arthritis or other rheumatic conditions. Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States.8 Arthritis limits the activities of nearly 19 million adults.9 Two thirds of individuals with arthritis are under age 65.10 The National Arthritis Data Working Group estimates that 27 million adults have osteoarthritis. Nine million adults report symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, and 13 million report symptomatic hand osteoarthritis. Persons are considered to have symptomatic osteoarthritis if they have frequent pain in a joint (e.g., pain in a joint on most days of a recent month) and radiographic (e.g., x-ray) evidence of osteoarthritis in that joint, although sometimes this pain may not actually emanate from the arthritis seen on the radiograph. Other forms of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Arthritis is a concern in the workplace both because it may develop from work-related conditions and because it may require worksite adaptations for employees with limitations or disabilities.11-12 Certain occupations are associated with increased prevalence of arthritis, specifically osteoarthritis, most often of the knee and/or hip. These occupations include mining, construction, agriculture, and sectors of the service industry.12-13 Common features of these occupations are physically demanding/heavy labor tasks, lifting or carrying heavy loads, exposure to vibration, high risk of joint or tissue injury, and prolonged periods of working in awkward or unnatural postures such as kneeling and crawling.
Early diagnosis and appropriate management of arthritis can help people with arthritis decrease pain, improve function, stay productive, and lower health care costs. Appropriate management includes consulting with a doctor and self management education programs to help teach people with arthritis techniques to manage arthritis on a day-to-day basis. Physical activity and weight management programs are also important self-management activities for persons with arthritis. Developing and Implementing Workplace ControlsEngineering controls, administrative controls and use of personal protective A three-tier hierarchy of controls is widely accepted as an intervention strategy for reducing, eliminating, or controlling workplace hazards, including ergonomic hazards. The three tiers are:
ErgonomicsErgonomics is the science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to the capability of the working population.1 The goal of ergonomics is to reduce stress and eliminate injuries and disorders associated with the overuse of muscles, bad posture, and repeated tasks. A workplace ergonomics program can aim to prevent or control injuries and illnesses by eliminating or reducing worker exposure to WMSD risk factors using engineering and administrative controls. PPE is also used in some instances but it is the least effective workplace control to address ergonomic hazards. Risk factors include awkward postures, repetition, material handling, force, mechanical compression, vibration, temperature extremes, glare, inadequate lighting, and duration of exposure.17 For example, employees who spend many hours at a workstation may develop ergonomic-related problems resulting in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Top of Page What are the 5 most common injuries in the workplace?Being aware of the injuries that occur most frequently allows organisations to focus on the risks and work to improve them.. #1 Slips, Trips and Falls. ... . #2 Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) ... . #3 Mental Injuries. ... . #4 Muscular Handling Injuries. ... . #5 Machinery and Equipment Injuries. ... . Look for Patterns.. What is the most common cause of injury at work?Why do workplace injuries occur?. 1) Overexertion and tiredness. Most types of physical activity will become tiring if they are carried out over a long period of time. ... . 2) Slips, trips and falls. ... . 3) Distractions. ... . 4) Messy work environments. ... . 5) Cutting corners.. What are the 3 most common workplace accidents?Top 5 most common workplace injuries and how to avoid them.. Trips, Slips And Falls. ... . Being Struck By Or Caught In Moving Machinery. ... . Vehicle Related Accidents. ... . Fire And Explosions. ... . Repetitive Stress and Overexertion Injuries.. What are the 5 most common causes of workplace accidents?Amongst the causes, five stood out as being the most common, with slips and trips being the single most common cause of injuries at work.. Hit by a moving object. ... . Fall from height. ... . Manual Handling. ... . Struck by moving vehicle. ... . Slips and trips.. |