Emerging issues and challenges

Non-recognition of musculoskeletal disorders

Recognition and control of risk factors related to musculosketal (MSDs) is limited across all industries as evidenced by the high rate of workers’ compensation claims for these types of injuries. In particular there is a lack of awareness of the various risk factors that can result in MSDs, for example tasks involving low muscular forces that are sustained for extended periods or performed repeatedly may be more hazardous than the occasional exertion of much higher forces. These tasks can result in tissue breakdown over time and MSDs. While some industries have demonstrated a greater awareness of these issues for example significant changes have been made in the health care industry in regards to people handling tasks, strategies need to be developed that focus on changing industry safety culture, climate and risk perception relating to MSDs.

Psychosocial factors

Psychosocial factors affect physical injury, particularly the development of musculoskeletal disorders. There is a need to focus on practical strategies for influencing these factors, including improving relationships at work; increasing job control; providing support; managing change and job demands; and ensuring recognition and reward and appropriate skill use. There is suggestive evidence for psychosocial stress impacting on musculoskeletal disorders and the physiological response to pain and fatigue.

Obesity

There has been an increase in the prevalence of obesity in the community. This has implications for accelerating degenerative joint disease, increasing the risk of MSDs from manual handling tasks and increasing the MSD risk for health care workers who have to manage increasing numbers of bariatric (morbidly obese) patients. Increasing weight, size, shape and dimensions of people as well as changing strengths and capacities related to obesity have implications for safe design in the workplace, for example, safe design limits for seating.

Ageing and diverse workforce

Older workers are the positive new trend in response to the current skills shortage. However, physical changes in older workers, who may also have a chronic disease, can lead to an increased risk of MSDs due to reduced muscular strength and physical and functional capacity. Visual changes and hearing deficits, along with altered mobility and gait patterns, may increase the risk of slips, trips and falls.

Increasing workforce diversity for example young workers, women, and migrants may also lead to an increased risk of MSDs if the work and work environment is not designed to suit the wide range of worker characteristics such as body size, strength and experience.

Safe design is a vital part of ensuring that the risk of MSDs is eliminated or minimised for all workers.

Changes in employment relationships

Workers in the first month of a new job are over four times more likely to have a lost time injury than workers with over one year in their current job. With increasing use of labour hire, agency workers and casuals, there is a need to address safety training and skills particularly for manual handling tasks. Extended shifts and multiple jobs also increases exposure to MSD risk factors and fatigue.

Changes in types of industry

According to Monash University employment forecasts for Queensland, growth is anticipated in the health and community services, retail, construction, hospitality and recreational services, and property, transport services and business services industries, with a decline in the numbers of persons employed in utilities, communication and rural industries and to a lesser extent the manufacturing industry. Skill shortages in these areas may increase the risk of MSDs as job demands increase. An increase in home based and community services work requires the development of strategies for safety in non controlled environments, for example, caring for people in their homes.

The majority of businesses (97%) in Queensland are small businesses which employ 19 workers or less. Many of these businesses provide contracted services to larger enterprises. There is a potential for an increased risk of MSDs as resources for addressing health and safety issues may be limited.