Work Related MSDs What causes them what can

Work Related MSDs What causes them & what can be done about it

CSP’s past survey findings. • 68% of members will suffer a work related MSD sometime during their career. • Your injury could occur as a gradual occurrence or, through manual handling/lifting a patient. • New Graduates/students on clinical placement are most at risk – 32% injured in the first 5 years of practice. • 1 in 16 will likely leave the profession due to their injury. • 44% were not MH risk assessed in their first/new post

The Gap Between Knowledge & Practice The Factors Influencing the Gap 1. 2. 3. 4. The Individual Job Patient Organisation

The Way Your Work is Organised • Rotation planning • Increasing throughput of patients/decreasing waiting lists • Introduction of new technology – • (with no consultation) • No or inadequate risk assessment done

Employer’s Responsibilities - risk assessment • Legal obligations to risk assess to eliminate or minimise hazards at work. • Generic & individual specific Assessments. • Review: -Task related factors -Individual (handler) related factors -Load related factors -Environment related factors

Risk Management • Knowledge & skills of: - person handling/aids & equipment - ergonomics and its applications • • Adequate resources Generic protocols Routine person-specific risk assessments Realistic clinical goals

The Role of the Safety Rep as: 1. Educator 2. Facilitator 3. Advocate

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS In groups – 1. Select which of the factors you feel is particularly relevant with respect to - The new graduates you work with - Your present circumstances – are you at risk? 2. What interventions do you think are needed to address the problem?

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