Work Well Everywhere
WorkSpace Health is EveryBODY's Business
Today, the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) launched National WorkSpace Week (21-27 October 2024) as part of National Safe Work Month aimed at reducing the occurrence and impact of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) - Australia's leading workplace injury.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), the third largest Australian health burden behind cancer and mental health, are a range of inflammatory and degenerative conditions affecting the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, peripheral nerves and supporting blood vessels, WMSDs may be caused by a single workspace event, but commonly result from repeated, harmful workspace activities over an extended period of time.
WMSDs are predominantly caused by physical stress, mental stress, repetitive work and poorly set up non-ergonomic workspaces and account for the majority (57%) of workers' compensation claims for serious injuries.
Around 7.3 million (29%) Australians live with chronic musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) with an estimated direct health cost in 2021-2022 of $14.7 billion – almost 10% of the total annual health budget. However, according to a Deloitte Access Economics report, the real cost to the Australian economy for WMSDs exceeds $55 billion annually when lost productivity, absenteeism, direct health costs and reduced quality of life for WMSD sufferers is factored in.
'The Impact of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders & Injuries in Australia', a national independent survey conducted by Pureprofile, commissioned by the ACA, revealed the high prevalence of WMSDs among Australian workers.
Of the 1001 respondents, 86.7% experienced a musculoskeletal disorder or injury either while at work or because of their workspace, with 73% suffering three or more WMSDs and 84% experiencing workplace stress.
89% of workers who use a desk reported suffering a WMSD with 93% of workers who undertake repetitive movements; 88% who sit for prolonged periods and 87% of computer users reported experiencing WMSDs.
The most prevalent WMSDs reported were low back pain at 62%, neck pain at 55%, mid back pain at 53% and 52% reported tension/cervicogenic headaches.
"To measure the physical activity of WMSD sufferers, in September 2024 the ACA conducted a member survey which found of patients who initially present with a WMSD, the majority (50.5%) were described as having a sedentary level of physical activity compared to 34% who were only 'somewhat active'.
ACA President, Dr David Cahill said "Workplace stress is a significant contributor to WMSDs, with 96% of ACA members surveyed reporting treating patients with spinal health issues linked to workplace stress. Additionally, 42% indicated over 51% of their patients experience spinal health problems due to stress in their workplace".
"Almost half of ACA chiropractors surveyed (49%) reported seated or desk work as the primary cause of WMSD presentations caused by sedentary positioning and repeated movements; most likely due to workers not taking regular breaks or stretching during work hours" he said.
According to SafeWork Australia, the most common injuries impacting Australians that lead to WMSDs are body stressing, falls, slips and trips, with body stressing (33%) accounting for the highest percentage of WMSD workers' compensation claims. SafeWork NSW reports the cost per serious claim (requiring one or more weeks absence) averaged around $65,000 per serious claim between 2018-2023.
Body stressing caused by poorly executed lifting, pushing, pulling or bending, using computers in non-ergonomic workspaces (in an office or at home), poor posture, driving a vehicle and repetitive strain injuries can all contribute to WMSDs including chronic neck and back pain, shoulder stiffness and headaches.
Those most at risk include community and personal service workers such as healthcare, aged care, childcare, NDIS and disability service workers. Tradies, labourers, technicians, drivers, and machinery operators, are also among those with the highest rates of physical work-related injuries while desk or computer users make up 10% of serious claims.
Mental stress in the workspace can also impact workers physically and if left unchecked, can trigger neuro-musculoskeletal disorders including migraine, tension and cervicogenic (neck related) headaches that affect workers' concentration, productivity, social engagement and their overall wellbeing and quality of life.
Dr Cahill, said, "With musculoskeletal conditions (MSDs) ranked the third highest in the Australian Burden of Disease Study (2023) before cardiovascular disease, prevention and early intervention when injured will have a significant impact on reducing the instances of WMSDs, minimise their impact to prevent the long-term burden of MSDs, and reduce workers' compensation claims and overall health costs to the Australian economy."
"If left untreated, WMSDs can lead to long-term chronic pain with possible life-limiting outcomes. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing deterioration, improving recovery, reducing severity and helping to prevent long-term implications, including the reliance on medications for chronic pain that can be harmful.
"With WMSDs leading to poorer quality of life, psychological distress, bodily pain and disability, WorkSpace Week encourages people to be proactive in undertaking preventative measures in their workplace because WorkSpace health is EveryBODY's business," Dr Cahill said.
ACA chiropractors are Australia's leaders in providing holistic, evidence-based, patient centred, multi-modal and clinically proven healthcare. They offer non-surgical, low risk, drug-free therapeutic care and can provide advice on helping to prevent work-related back and neck injuries, how to set up an ergonomic workspace, how to effectively manage stress, improve posture, provide exercises to improve spinal health and stabilise core muscle groups, and guidance on rest and maintaining a healthy diet to promote overall health and wellbeing.
"By promoting prevention and minimising long-term harm through early diagnosis and effective chiropractic healthcare, we can improve the spinal health and overall wellbeing of workers while reducing the negative impact on employers and the economy," Dr Cahill said.
Held during Safe Work Month (October), WorkSpace Week aligns with Safe Work Australia's 'Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) Strategy 2023–2033' which aims to create safe, healthy workspaces for everybody and to lessen the long-term impact on workers, employers, and the economy by improving the spinal health and wellbeing of all workers vulnerable to work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Workplaces are encouraged to mobilise their workforce and hold a #StraightenUpAustralia Challenge using ACA's Straighten Up app to show how simple exercises can reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders and improve the spinal health and wellbeing of all Australian workers.
To minimise workspace injuries and reduce the impact of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, employers and workers should visit workspaceweek.org.au to access a range of free resources including the WorkSpace Week Checklist, exercise posters, podcasts, factsheets and the Straighten Up App to maximise spinal health and wellbeing, minimise injuries and improve productivity for all working Australians so they can work well everywhere.
