Musculoskeletal injuries need better management

Public services union UNISON used Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day in February to launch a new campaign calling for better management of musculoskeletal injuries. The union is also highlighting the impact of austerity on health and safety. 


Its analysis of a random sample of 50 personal injury claims involving musculoskeletal injuries found that 90% resulted from basic failings in risk assessments. 


Staffing problems caused more than one in five claims (21%), with workers often forced to single-handedly manually lift loads requiring two or more people. 


The union also reported that a common reason for enforcement action is poorly-fitted or poorly-maintained lifting equipment such as slings or hoists.


UNISON acting head of health and safety Robert Baughan said the new research showed “the damage this government’s austerity agenda — and the resulting staffing cuts — is doing to our members’ health and safety”.


The union called on employers to carry out robust risk assessments and eliminate the need for manual handling by providing mechanical aids where possible. Where this is not possible, they should reduce the risk by minimising manual handling or ensuring there are sufficient staff to safely manage difficult or heavy loads.

https://www.unison.org.uk/news/2019/02/unison-launches-campaign-combat-musculoskeletal-injuries