Three in five workers in the European Union report experiencing musculoskeletal disorders, the most common of which are pain in the back, arms, shoulders and other upper body parts. These conditions have a significant impact on the quality of work and can have serious consequences for employees’ health in the future – as many as one in three people suffering from work-related musculoskeletal disorders believe that, as a result, they will no longer be able to do the same job by the age of 60.
“Prolonged sitting, repetitive movements, handling heavy loads and a fast pace of work are just a few of the risk factors that employees face in their daily lives. Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common occupational health problem in Europe,” says Nerita Šot, Senior Specialist at the Employee Safety and Health Division of the State Labour Inspectorate (VDI).
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a cause for concern not only because of their impact on workers’ health and quality of life, but also on businesses and national economies. They are the most common cause of disability and temporary incapacity for work, and the pain experienced by employees affects their performance and productivity.
These disorders can develop even before the start of a person’s working life
Musculoskeletal disorders are not just an issue for older workers. Even school-age children are already experiencing pain in the neck, back or other upper body parts. As many as 33 per cent of children and young people have posture-related problems. The main cause is prolonged sitting and a lack of physical activity.
“It is very important that awareness of this issue is promoted as early as possible, otherwise the labour market will in future see a significant increase in the number of young people with musculoskeletal disorders, who will begin their professional careers already suffering from serious health problems,” says N. Šot.
The right solutions are within reach
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has already launched a three-year campaign – ‘Less strain in safe workplaces’ – which focuses specifically on the prevention and management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
As part of the European Week for Safety and Health at Work, the campaign’s launch conference will take place in Vilnius on 22 October. At the conference, representatives from EU-OSHA and the State Labour Inspectorate, together with other experts, will outline the key objectives and share theoretical and practical examples of how to prevent and successfully manage these issues.
“Musculoskeletal disorders are currently the most common work-related health problem, affecting all sectors of activity, from factory work to hairdressing salons and offices. No sector is immune to them, so it is every employer’s duty to ensure the most suitable working environment possible. It is precisely during this campaign that attention will be drawn to the fact that early intervention and rehabilitation are not only possible but also vital, not just for employees’ quality of life but also for productivity,” – emphasises N. Šot.
Further information on work-related musculoskeletal disorders can be found on the Healthy Workplaces Campaign 2020–2022 website: www.healthy-workplaces.eu/lt