Introduction and practical training in the use of inspection tools for risk assessment of MSD at workplaces
Vibeke Andersen
Authority strategy for preventing of musculoskeletal disorders related to heavy lifting.
vga@at.dk
All the EU authorities are obliged to follow the minimum health and safety requirements for the manual handling of loads as mentioned in the Council Directive 90/269/EEC of 29 may 1990.
In the Nordic countries we have developed tools for inspection and for the workplace assessment at the enterprises. Our guidelines are based on the same scientific background material but the different conditions in the countries have resulted in variations in the tools. Also in relation to different trades has it been necessary to make modifications in the tools.
A good tool for labour inspectors has to be:
Useful for a quick screening and in doubt for a deeper evaluation
Select the risk situation from the minimal risk situations in few minutes
Can be used with a minimum of equipment e.g. only measuring tape and a calculator
Give the same result when used by different inspectors and in this way insuring equal treatment of the different enterprises
Presentation of the Danish red, yellow and green model for risk assessment of heavy lifting.
In the following the Nordic authorities will present examples on there praxis preventing of musculo-skeletal disorders related to heavy lifting.
Anne Hoffmann
Intensified inspection in the area of health care
The Danish parliament has agreed on a new welfare reform which provides 70 million kr. for extra resources for inspection.
The extra resources are among other things being used for special inspections in enterprises known to have high frequencies of musculoskeletal problems.
From October 2007 to July 2008 the National Working Environment Authority is performing intensified inspection in the area of health care. The inspections have 2 focal points: ergonomic and psychological working environment with a goal of sending an increased number of improvement notices within these areas. The ergonomic aim of the inspections is to reduce the sickness absence due to musculoskeletal problems and to prevent accidents and musculoskeletal problems caused by load imposed on health care workers especially when manually handling persons/patients.
The inspections will typically take place over 2 full days giving the possibility of a very thorough inspection.
A guideline was developed as a tool for the inspectors insuring equal treatment of the different enterprises.
The first results of the inspections show that the inspectors still find many problems with workloads that could lead to muscular skeletal disorders. Most of the improvement notices deal with manual handling of persons, work in poor working positions, lack of or misuse of technical equipment aimed to reduce the workload when manually handling persons.
The findings, the design of the inspections and the guideline will be presented.
Harald Gran
Prevention of Musculoskeletal disorders
A presentation of New Strategies
Muscle pain is the most frequent source of sickness absence and permanent disability in Norway. 20 % of Norwegian employees report of severe musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). 30 % of the total amount of self reported MSDs is estimated to be work-related. The employer is responsible for complying with the requirements of the Working Environment Act, and for ensuring that the enterprise maintains a healthy and safe working environment. The companies are complied to do risk-assessments and make an action plan on how to prevent MSDs and how to rehabilitate employees suffering from musculoskeletal pain.
The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority has designated work related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) as one of seven areas to be prioritised in our occupational health and safety efforts for the next four years. 28 % of the resources are dedicated MSDs. The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority wants the numbers of companies, who systematically prevent work-related MSDs, to increase. The Agency’s contribution is mainly to be done by Supervisions, Guidance and Information. For the next period, 2008 – 2011, the numbers of Supervisions shall increase. The Authority shall contribute to increased knowledge and know-how about prevention of MSDs in working life. Further development on inspection-tools is necessary. If the new strategy shall succeed it is important to take into account that different groups of factors may contribute to MSDs, including biomechanical, organisational and psychosocial factors. A comprehensive approach is therefore necessary.
Ruth Carlsson
Inspection in the construction sector and at work in peoples homes and retrial
The Swedish Work Environment Authority (SWEA) will 2008 focus on ergonomics and manual handling in special projects; in sectors as construction, work in peoples’ homes and retrial. One goal is to improve the work organization and achieve increased variation at the workplaces a second (another) goal is that a greater part of the employers shall have knowledge of how to assess the ergonomic risks.
The strategy used will be inspections in two steps. In the first step the employers get a notice with a demand to assess the ergonomic risks at the workplace. The notice can be attached with information on how to assess risk which areas should be given priority and so on. Workplaces that miss the knowledge of assessing risks are asked to get help from the occupational health services. Examples of models of assessment like in “AFS 1998:1 App A can also be attached. After some months the second step will be taken with a regular inspection with reactions if needed.
Workshop
Practical training in the use of inspection tools for risk assessment of MSD at workplaces
The participants will get a short introduction/guidance in using inspection tools. Participants will be divided into groups and will then get the opportunity to use the tools with the assistance of a video-recording from actual work situation.
Afterward will there be discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of using tools of this sort.
The tools can be used by other than inspection authorities. The methods should be user friendly for employers and service providers and professionals within the field of muscular skeletal problems / manual handling.
The Icelandic Ergonomics Society