WorkSpace Week Tackles Workplace Injuries: Oct 21-27

"WorkSpace Week: Combatting Workplace Injuries for a Healthier Workforce"

National WorkSpace Week (21-27 October 2024) is dedicated to the prevention and early intervention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), Australia's most common workplace injury which also accounts for the majority (57%) of workers' compensation claims for serious injuries.

An initiative of the Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA), WorkSpace Week aligns with National Safe Work Month, aimed at reducing the occurrence and impact of WMSDs caused by physical stress, mental stress, repetitive work and poorly set up non-ergonomic workspaces.

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 during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic. 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 accounted for.

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 workplace event, but commonly result from repeated harmful workspace activities over an extended period of time.

SafeWork Australia reports the most common injuries impacting Australian workers are musculoskeletal, resulting from body stressing, falls, slips and trips. Body stressing alone accounts for the highest percentage (33%) of workers' compensation claims. With SafeWork NSW reporting the cost per serious claim (requiring one or more weeks absence) for WMSDs 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 cause WMSDs including chronic neck and back pain, shoulder stiffness and headaches.

Australians 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.

Dr David Cahill, President of the ACA said, "With musculoskeletal conditions (MSDs) ranked the third highest in the Australian Burden of Disease Study (2023) before cardiovascular disease, prevention and early intervention is critical.

"MSDs are the second largest contributor to disability worldwide, with lower back pain being the single leading cause of disability globally. Early diagnosis and treatment can 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.

Mental stress in the workspace can also impact workers physically and if left unchecked, can trigger neuro-musculoskeletal disorders including tension and cervicogenic (neck related) headaches that effect workers' concentration, productivity, social engagement and their overall wellbeing and quality of life.

"If left untreated, WMSDs can lead to long-term chronic pain with possible life limiting outcomes. However, WMSDs caused by physical or mental stress respond well to early diagnosis and treatment and can prevent deterioration, improve recovery, reduce severity and help 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.

Conducted during National 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 workplaces 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 WMSDs.

ACA chiropractors are Australia's leaders in providing holistic, evidence based, patient centred, 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.

To minimise workspace injuries and reduce the impact of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, employers and workers are encouraged to 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.

This October workplaces are encouraged to mobilise their workforce and hold a #StraightenUpAustralia Challenge using ACA's free Straighten Up app to demonstrate how simple 3-minute exercises can help reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders and improve the spinal health and wellbeing of all Australian workers.