Musculoskeletal Disorders Theme For European Week for Safety and Health 2007
Once again the issue of MSD ios being visited by European health & safety institutions and organisations, with the announcemnet that this year's European Week for Safety and Health at Work 2007, which runs from 22-26 October, will focus on one of the most common health probelms facing workers in Europe. This year’s campaign slogan is ‘Lighten the Load’
The European campaign aims to promote an integrated management approach to tackle musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) embracing prevention of MSDs, and the retention, rehabilitation and reintegration of workers who already suffer from MSDs.
Run by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, the Lighten the load campaign involves employers, workers, workers' safety representatives, practitioners, preventive services, policy makers and other stakeholders in improving MSD prevention at workplace level. The campaign culminates in the European Week of Safety and Health at Work from 22 to 26 October 2007, and is an opportunity to make Europe's workplaces safer and healthier.
Back disorders affect one million people in Great Britain alone each year. Problems include joint injuries, repetitive strain injuries, including work-related neck and upper limb disorders, and lower back pain. Raising awareness, prevention and management are all key factors in reducing MSDs.
Once again Contact centres and offcie based work will be targeted. According to the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), sedentary PC posture causes more back problems than excessive lifting and carrying. In a recent study by the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), carried out on behalf of the HSE, over 1,300 users of display screen equipment (DSE) from various UK organisations were studied.
Of those who responded 73% had one or more musculoskeletal symptoms. Over a period of 12 months, 47% reported neck symptoms while only 12% said they had had problems with their elbow and forearm. Symptoms involving the shoulder, neck and back were most frequently reported together. Just over half reported symptoms affecting the head and/or eyes.
Employers have a legal obligation to protect their health and safety and that of their workforce. Regulation 3, of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, requires, among other things, that all employers assess the risks to the health and safety of their employees while they are at work.
As well as a duty to carry out a general risk assessments, employers should also carry out risk assessments specific to MSDs.
Source: European Agency for Health and Safety at Work, Workplace Law Network
