Using Evidence to Improve the Management Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Abstract

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a major occupational health and safety (OHS) issue in the Asia Pacific. Despite evidence to support the contribution of psychosocial and physical hazards in the development of WMSDs current approaches to risk management do not take this into account. Focus of risk mitigation strategies continue to be directed at the physical aspects of work. Current issues concerning risk management are attributable to a combination of factors including the available guidance material, perceived level of difficulty in managing psychosocial hazards, identification and control of single hazards rather than a more multifactorial approach and limited understanding of the relationship between psychosocial hazards and the development of a physical injury. A further issue—also found in other areas of OHS—is an over reliance on claims data to support the development of risk management strategies. WMSD hazard surveillance data would provide a more useful basis from which to develop accurate strategies to reduce relevant hazards and risks. A new comprehensive approach—a WMSD risk management toolkit—is proposed and described, which involves high levels of worker participation and uses hazard surveillance data to inform development of risk controls. Further research in this area is required to improve the translation of research evidence into real world policy and practice.