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In Australia and most OECD countries, compensation claims for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the largest group. Despite substantial research evidence of the involvement of psychosocial hazards as well as physical hazards related to manual task performance in the aetiology of WMSDs, workplace risk management strategies have focused primarily on the latter.
Methods
Based on a review of research evidence identifying key physical and psychosocial hazards for WMSDs, a survey was formulated, administered and validated in two manufacturing and two logistics workplaces. Based on focus group data from several occupational groups within the healthcare sector, the survey was then modified and administered within that sector also. Multiple regression modelling was used to identify the main determinants of WMSD risk separately within each sector. Multi-level analysis methods are now being used to identify differences in hazard profiles between industry sectors.
Results
The key role of psychosocial hazards has been confirmed; these were found to have substantial effects on physical discomfort/pain levels, and were particularly important determinants of whether or not individuals with significant musculoskeletal discomfort took time off work. Results from multi-level analyses concerning differences in hazard profiles between industry sectors will also be reported.
Discussion
Implications of these results for workplace risk management practices will be discussed, including the need for procedures that are adaptable to different workplace contexts and requirements, and that take account of the potentially interacting effects on WMSD risk of different hazard combinations. A suggested means of achieving this is a WMSDs risk management ‘toolkit’ designed to be usable by non-experts, containing various risk assessment tools along with guidance on their use and related control measures and resources. A project to develop such a toolkit is currently in progress.