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Washington — Work group, job stress and different non-physical risk factors “cannot be ignored” when assessing the probability of work-related musculoskeletal issues, in response to a brand new white paper from the National Safety Council.

Overlooking these factors “can be a common reason MSDs are not decreasing in an organization,” NSC specialists say within the paper.

MSDs embrace tendinitis, again strains and sprains, and carpal tunnel syndrome. They’re the commonest office damage and stay the main reason for employee incapacity, early retirement and limitations to gainful employment, NSC says.

The paper, launched by way of the council’s MSD Solutions Lab, lists three classes non-physical MSD risk factors will be positioned into:
Organizational factors, that are “directly influenced or controlled by the employer and related to the way the work is designed, organized and managed.” These embrace work group, coaching and job safety.
Psychosocial factors, that are associated to “interactions between and among work environment” and different attributes “that may influence health and work performance.” Among them: psychological workload, job satisfaction, job stress and perceived help.
Behavioral factors, which contain “actions a person engages in that can be modified or impacted by the workplace.” These embrace vitamin, quantity of sleep, bodily exercise, alcohol/substance use and tobacco use.

NSC affords employers a number of options to assist them navigate non-physical MSD risk factors:

  • Add the mitigation of non-physical risk factors into present MSD prevention and ergonomics packages.
  • Engage frontline employees in studying concerning the connection between non-physical risk factors and office security.
  • Ensure security and well being coaching is sufficient and delivered by certified instructors.
  • Foster a tradition of help, clear communication and listening to employees.

“As we look to the future of MSD prevention and ergonomics, an emphasis on both physical and nonphysical risk factors is needed,” Katherine Mendoza, senior director of office packages at NSC, stated in a press launch. “Employees who experience non-physical risk factors are at greater risk of injury, less satisfied with their work and more likely to leave their organization, which is why it’s critically important for organizations to proactively address and mitigate these issues.”

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