WORK STRAIN CAUSES REAL PAIN

No body should put up with it

The term work strain covers physical and mental work strain and can be adapted to the particular issues in any industry or occupation. In addition to well known manual handling injuries and pain, research is confirming that there is a strong link between psychological hazards (stress) at work and chronic musculoskeletal injuries and pain. Work intensification, dangerous hours, repetitive, monotonous work and unsafe manual tasks are the ingredients of an epidemic of work strain injuries and pain.

In 2001 more than 76,000 Australian workers received workers compensation for "sprain and strain" or musculoskeletal injuries - that's more than 200 per day and two thirds of all claims. However, we know that many workers are suffering, because less than half the people who are injured at work receive any compensation. Often these are part time, casual and contract / agency workers. Some are forced out of the workforce due to their injuries and / or chronic pain.

Work strain causes injuries and pain to our backs, shoulders, necks, arms, wrists and our whole bodies. These are the most common health and safety problems in Australia.

Musculoskeletal injuries can be caused by a single event, such as lifting a heavy object or person. However, more often work strain builds up over time, causing chronic injury and pain.

We are under pressure to work faster and harder. Too many workers are facing increasing workloads, longer hours, job insecurity, understaffing, stress, bullying, violence, deficient management and poor work organisation.

There is no need for it there have been health and safety laws in Australian States and Territories for more than 15 years. These laws are meant to prevent work strain injuries, but many employers do not follow them and governments are not enforcing them. Despite the huge number of injuries caused by work strain, less than 1% OF THE EMPLOYERS WHO CAUSED THEM HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED.

Too many employers are talking about workers needing to lift properly, to practise stress management, or they rotate workers from one unsafe job to another. These solutions do not prevent work strain. On top of this employers often intimidate and blame workers for being injured or in pain, when work strain is the cause.

What employers should be doing:

• Consulting with workers and elected representatives on working conditions and occupational health and safety - ongoing

• Preventing work strain by eliminating unnecessary lifting, bending twisting, carrying, repetitive tasks and awkward positioning.

• Ensuring that work stations and equipment are suitable for the task and do not cause injuries or pain.

• Provide sufficient staff and resources for the job - ensuring that hours of work and workloads do not put workers under constant pressure.

some people think that work strain is 'just part of the job'. This is not true. It is preventable and should be stopped.

Common symptoms of work strain:

·         Painful necks and shoulders

·         Aching or stabbing pains in arms or wrists

·         Feeling of pins and needles

·         Aching legs, knees and feet

·         Backaches and back injuries

·         Stress or tension headaches

·         Continual tiredness /exhaustion.

For further information contact AMIEU  - 02 4929 5496

Union workplaces are safer places