Introduction Discuss Musculoskeletal (Msk) injury and the manual - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Introduction

• Discuss Musculoskeletal (Msk) injury and the

manual task risk that may be relevant to the construction industry

• Look at prevention strategies to manage manual

task risk and Msk injury for workers and the employer

• Demonstrate stretches that can be incorporated

into the Tradies work day to reduce Msk discomfort and improve flexibility

What are the risks in Construction?

• 42% of claims in 2015-2016 were for

musculoskeletal injuries (down from 46% the previous year)

• 33% of those were back related.
• 2nd most common cause for injuries was body

stressing

• Accumulative injuries are the result of what is

done every day for months or years.

• We all AGE, but the state we’re in when we get

there depends on how we look after ourselves now

Factors that make injury more likely

MANUAL TASK RISK FACTORS

YOU WHAT YOU DO HOW YOU WORK WHERE YOU WORK

Manual Task Risk Factors

THE NATURE OF THE JOB FORCE EXERTION

Push Pull Grip width Load

WORKING POSTURES

Bending Twisting Lifting Reaching

REPETITION AND DURATION

Bending Lifting Gripping Reaching

VIBRATION

Prevention Tools – The Worker

• Manage your weight and stop smoking
• Sleep well and eat well—give yourself energy to

help you remain healthy, alert and safe

• Drink more water
• Keep fit, strong and flexible
• Managing health conditions that you bring to work
• Vary tasks to allow tired muscles to recover. The

more varied the tasks, the lower the risk of injury. All these factors contribute to a healthy Msk system

Prevention tools – The Employer

• Develop a culture of early reporting of ‘niggles’
• Walk the talk – managers and supervisors
• Refer to the Hazardous Manual Task Code of

Practice 2011

• Review SOPs ensuring how the work is done is

aligned with the code of practice

• Job task analysis / ergonomic assessments
• Use PErforM for a collaborative approach to

managing manual task risk in the workplace

Prevention Tools – the employer

• Supervisor training on Msk injury and managing RTW
• Manage older worker issues
• Offer early intervention services to an individual or
• rganize an external provider for worksite visit to review

a task, ergonomic advice around equipment and plant

• Specific training on manual task risk on the tasks that

workers are engaged in.

• Utilise Job Access and Job in Jeopardy programs

https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/job-jeopardy-assistance https://www.jobaccess.gov.au/

How can Physios help?

• Assess and treat Musculoskeletal symptoms / injury
• Assess and treat pelvic floor conditions, balance

conditions and other neurological conditions

• Worksite visits and task analysis
• Ergonomic and manual task risk assessments
• Health and wellness programs
• Functional capacity evaluations
• Fitness for duty or periodical assessments
• On-site physiotherapy assessment and treatment
• Functional Pre-employment assessments
• Suitable duties and return to work services

Tips from Kyal and Kara

Reverse your position

If you are constantly bending

• ver to pick things up, make

sure you do some back extension exercises. It doesn't need to be complicated.

Maintain your thoracic mobility

Tradies are constantly doing a lot of things repetitively with their upper limbs. It is important to mix up movements and change position, have constant breaks and stretch out to prevent tightness in the thoracic spine.

More Tips to Manage Msk Discomfort

• Avoid over reaching when lifting or
• n the tools
• Keep neutral positions for power and

stability

• Use of mechanical assistance
• Raise up our work – avoid sustained

bending and twisting actions particularly below waist level

• Maintain tools and other mechanical

devices

• Hand tool design
• Watch your feet

Factors that Affect Recovery Rate of Soft Tissue Injuries

• Not reporting the ‘niggle’ early

enough

• Not getting treatment early

enough

• Not getting the right treatment
• Inappropriate duties/ No duties
• Complete rest from all activity can

delay recovery

Strategies to Prevent Msk Injury

• Stretch until you feel a

strain not a pain

• Hold for at least 10 seconds
• Relax in between stretches
• Stretch up to 3 times per

muscle group

• Movements should be slow

and sustained not jerky or ballistic!

Shoulder and Neck Stretches

Back and Trunk Stretches

Hand and Wrist Stretches

Work Smarter not Harder

• Use good body mechanics
• Individual fitness is important
• Working as a team improves safety
• Follow the workplace procedures such as

wearing of PPE, following work instructions use mechanical assistance that is offered

• Promote early reporting of injury or symptoms

that are not going away. If pain persists, see your physio!

Rehabilitation Services

Qld Locations: Carina, Beenleigh, Crestmead, Logan Central, Bray Park Rockhampton and Townsville Phone: 1300 133 758

Preventing and Understanding injuries in the workplace

• Resources
• Case Studies
• How WorkCover

can assist with tailor made solutions

How WorkCover can help you?

Identify Injury Trends Assist in developing tailor made solutions for your business Return to work and stay at work practices IPaM- Injury Prevention and Management WorkCover Connect Industry Resources Campaigns

Text

Case Studies

Back Injury Text Text Knee Injury PsychologicaI Injury

• Worker is a 44 year old Male
• Trades Assistant
• Works Full Time for the company since 2011
• Meniscus Tear
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Potential Barriers
• RTW process

Case Studies

Back Injury Text Knee Injury Psychological Injury

• Worker is a 39 year old male
• Air Conditioning Technician
• Employed 3 Months with company
• Lower Back Injury
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Potential Barriers
• RTW process

Case Studies

Back Injury Text Knee Injury Psychological Injury

Secondary Psychological Injuries

Flags for Secondary Psych

• Not engaging in suitable duties and treatment
• Focus on pain rather than recovery
• Poor support network
• Withdrawn from social activities outside of work
• Injury is taking longer to heal than anticipated
• Noticeable low moods at work
• Uncommon errors being made at work

Preventing Secondary Psychological

• Early Return to Work
• Keeping in contact with the worker
• Ensure workers are aware of the WorkCover

process and support available

• Ensure the staff are aware of the injury and the

planned return to work

• During the claim and return to work phase,

check in on the worker

Questions?

worksafe.qld.gov.au 1300 362 128