Taking steps to reduce workplace injuries

Musculoskeletal disorders are Australia’s most common workplace injury, accounting for 57% of compensation claims for serious injuries.

Body stressing caused by poorly executed lifting, pushing, pulling or bending, using computers in non-ergonomic workspaces (in an office or at home), poor posture, driving a vehicle and repetitive strain injuries can all cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) — including chronic neck and back pain, shoulder stiffness and headaches.

National WorkSpace Week (21–27 October 2024) is dedicated to the prevention and early intervention of WMSDs. An initiative of the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA), WorkSpace Week aligns with National Safe Work Month, aimed at reducing the occurrence and impact of WMSDs caused by physical stress, mental stress, repetitive work and poorly set up non-ergonomic workspaces.

Dr David Cahill, President of the ACA, said, “With musculoskeletal conditions (MSDs) ranked the third highest in the Australian Burden of Disease Study (2023) before cardiovascular disease, prevention and early intervention is critical.

“MSDs are the second largest contributor to disability worldwide, with lower back pain being the single leading cause of disability globally. Early diagnosis and treatment can have a significant impact on reducing the instances of WMSDs, minimise their impact to prevent the long-term burden of MSDs, and reduce workers compensation claims and overall health costs to the Australian economy.”

A range of inflammatory and degenerative conditions affecting the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, peripheral nerves and supporting blood vessels, WMSDs may be caused by a single workplace event. However, more commonly they result from repeated harmful workspace activities over an extended period of time.

Mental stress in the workspace can also impact workers physically and, if left unchecked, can trigger neuro-musculoskeletal disorders including tension and cervicogenic (neck-related) headaches that affect workers’ concentration, productivity, social engagement, and overall wellbeing and quality of life.

“If left untreated, WMSDs can lead to long-term chronic pain with possible life-limiting outcomes. However, WMSDs caused by physical or mental stress respond well to early diagnosis and treatment ... [which] can prevent deterioration, improve recovery, reduce severity and help prevent long-term implications including the reliance on medications for chronic pain that can be harmful,” Cahill said.

“With WMSDs leading to poorer quality of life, psychological distress, bodily pain and disability, WorkSpace Week encourages people to be proactive in undertaking preventative measures in their workplace, because workspace health is everybody’s business,” Cahill said.

Conducted during National Safe Work Month (October), WorkSpace Week aligns with Safe Work Australia’s Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) Strategy 2023–2033, which aims to create safe, healthy workplaces for everybody and to lessen the long-term impact on workers, employers and the economy by improving the spinal health and wellbeing of all workers vulnerable to WMSDs.

“By promoting prevention and minimising long-term harm through early diagnosis and effective chiropractic healthcare, we can improve the spinal health and overall wellbeing of workers while reducing the negative impact on employers and the economy,” Cahill said.

This October, workplaces are encouraged to mobilise their workforce and hold a #StraightenUpAustralia Challenge using ACA’s free Straighten Up app to demonstrate how simple three-minute exercises can help reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders and improve the spinal health and wellbeing of all Australian workers.

Image credit: iStock.com/ljubaphoto. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.