Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Australia: Key findings and recommendations

National Safe Work Month

This National Safe Work Month we’re shining a light on the impact of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) and what businesses can do to address both the physical and psychosocial workplace hazards that contribute to these disorders.

The report titled 'Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Australia', by Jodi Oakman, Sam Clune, and Rwth Stuckey, is an ideal resource that focuses on the prevalence, causes, impact, and intervention strategies for WMSDs in Australia.

The report emphasises that WMSDs are responsible for a significant portion of workers' compensation claims and costs, and continue to be a major work health and safety (WHS) issue in Australia.

An aging workforce and the need for late retirement further underline the urgency of addressing WMSDs in the workplace.

Key report findings

• WMSDs account for the majority of workers' compensation costs and remain the leading WHS problem in terms of frequency and cost.
• The causes of WMSDs are complex and associated with exposure to a variety of hazards over time.
• National Data Set (NDS) statistics for 2015–16 reveal that serious claims for WMSD diseases and injuries comprised 58% of all serious claims, with the majority being related to the back and upper limb.
• Age, gender, industry, occupation, breakdown agency, and mechanism of injury all play roles in the distribution and frequency of WMSD claims.
• Interventions often focus on individual-level changes or task-specific adjustments rather than comprehensive strategies that address all workplace hazards.

Report recommendations

• Implement comprehensive risk management practices that consider the complex causation of WMSDs.
• Emphasise a systems-based approach to intervention development, incorporating a holistic assessment of individual work.
• Shift from linear, hazard-based approaches to strategies that account for the multifactorial development of WMSDs.
• Ensure management commitment, changes in organisational culture, and genuine worker participation in intervention strategies.
• Improve the quality and accessibility of data to better reflect the true burden of WMSDs and inform effective intervention strategies.

The report also highlights the need for participative approaches in developing interventions and encourages interventions that target multiple hazards simultaneously.

It notes the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and adapting them to specific organisational contexts.

Overall, the report suggests that substantial progress is needed in the management and prevention of WMSDs, and calls for a shift away from traditional intervention methods towards evidence-based, systems approaches that engage stakeholders at all levels.

To learn more or discuss your workplace risk management strategies, call us on 1300 967 522 or email workcare.customers@apm.net.au.

Source

• Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Australia – Safe Work Australia