Biomechanical work hazards survey report

Safe Work Australia has just released it's report on a survey conducted in 2008: National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance: Exposure to biomechanical demands, pain and fatigue symptoms and the provision of controls in Australian workplaces.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are collectively one of the eight priority occupational diseases for Australia. They account for the largest proportion of occupational disease workers’ compensation claims in Australia. Exposure to biomechanical demands at work, such as repetitive hand or arm movements, and awkward postures are one of a number of work-related factors that are associated with the development or worsening of WMSDs.

The aims of this report are to describe the employment and demographic factors that distinguish workers who are highly exposed to biomechanical demands as a result of their work, to investigate the relationship between biomechanical demands and pain and fatigue symptoms, and to assess the provision of controls for biomechanical demands in Australian workplaces.