Recognition and control of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the key issues for Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
Why must we take action?
The number of musculosketal disorders has increased steadily over the last six years. However, the rate of MSDs has remained fairly constant over the last three years, except in the manufacturing and rural sectors where there has been a significant increase. MSDs currently represent 59% of all total non fatal workers’ compensation claims in Queensland.
Accepted Non-fatal musculoskeletal disorder workers’ compensation claims by industry
| Industry |
Rate per 1,000 Workers
|
% Change
2003-04 2005-06 |
Total number of claims (2003-04 - 2006-07)
|
||||
|
Strategy Base
|
2003-04
|
2004-05
|
2005-06
|
2006-07
|
|||
| Construction |
9.1
|
9.5
|
9.1
|
9.6
|
9.5
|
3%
|
7,178
|
| Health and community Services |
9.2
|
8.7
|
9.2
|
8.8
|
9.3
|
1%
|
16,211
|
| Hospitality, recreation and other services |
7.1
|
7.0
|
7.1
|
7.0
|
6.9
|
-3%
|
9,998
|
| Manufacturing |
18.0
|
17.1
|
17.3
|
20.5
|
20.5
|
14%
|
12,800
|
| Retail and wholesale |
6.1
|
6.3
|
5.8
|
6.2
|
6.3
|
3%
|
11,174
|
| Rural |
7.5
|
7.7
|
8.9
|
9.3
|
8.2
|
10%
|
2,174
|
| Transport and storage |
15.2
|
14.6
|
14.8
|
15.4
|
14.3
|
-5%
|
6,512
|
| Total |
9.0
|
8.8
|
8.7
|
8.9
|
9.1
|
1%
|
66,213
|
What needs to be done?
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland will work with all stakeholders, industry organisations, workers and their representatives, as well as other government agencies to improve the recognition and the elimination or control of risk factors leading to MSDs in the workplace.
What is our aim?
Our aim is to have in place the organisational capability, capacity and resources to continue reducing MSDs in the workplace through implementing the musculoskeletal framework. Our objective is to reduce the incidence of MSDs in Queensland workplaces by 15% by 2010, and to contribute to the target of a 40% reduction in all types of injuries by 2012.
How will we achieve this?
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has set itself the following goal for MSDs: Improved control of risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. We will determine our success in achieving this goal by measuring the performance indicators for the strategies outlined in this framework.
What are our priorities?
In 2007-08 we will lay the foundation by:
- increasing our internal capacity through recruitment and development of our inspectors
- increasing the awareness of employers, the self-employed and workers about risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries and
- identifying and establishing partnerships with our stakeholders.
This will allow us to consolidate our work on the six core elements of the musculoskeletal framework in 2008-09 and 2009-10.
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