EU action to combat musculoskeletal disorders

[Guest guest]

EU asks workers and employers about action to combat musculoskeletal

disorders

13 Nov 2004 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=16323

The European Commission is seeking the views of workers' and employers'

representatives on how best to tackle the growing problem of

musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). These ailments, which include back pain

and repetitive strain injury, are the biggest health and safety problem

facing European workers today. Studies show that they affect over 40

million workers in all sectors across the EU and account for 40 to 50

per cent of all work-related ill-health. They are costing employers

across the EU billions of euros. The problem is eroding Europe's

competitiveness and leading to losses of 0.5 to 2 per cent of GNP each

year.

In a consultation document issued today, the Commission says that whilst

such disorders are in principle covered by general EU health and safety

legislation, most of it is over a decade old and does not apply

specifically to work-related MSDs. Some Member States have passed laws

to tackle the problem and others have not. The Commission is asking

workers and employers to say how they think these gaps in the law at

national and Community level should be plugged to prevent such ailments

from developing.

The Commission highlights the problems for business that arise from

these disorders: production losses, sick leave, medical, compensation

and insurance costs, the loss of experienced staff and the cost of

recruiting and training new staff, and the impact on the quality of

work. The main cause of these disorders is poor ergonomic conditions.

The three main risk factors are lifting and moving heavy loads,

repetitive movements, and strenuous working postures.

The problem affects men and women alike, in all sectors across the EU.

Figures show that it is increasing: in 2000 over a third of European

workers complained of back-ache - a three-point increase from the 1995

level. Agricultural workers are the worst affected overall, with 57 per

cent suffering from MSDs. The highest increases are being seen amongst

professionals (up from 18 per cent to 24 per cent) and technicians (up

from 23 per cent to 31 per cent).

Workers' and employers' groups have six weeks from now to reply to the

Commission's paper. They are being asked whether they would like to see

new Community legislation or whether they would prefer voluntary

measures, or a combination of binding and non-binding measures, and what

the main focus of the preventive measures should be (e.g. ergonomics,

work organisation, psychosocial aspects). They could also decide to draw

up an agreement themselves to tackle the problem.

MSDs are one of today's major modern workplace issues being dealt with

as part of the " social dialogue " between the two sides of industry which

is being promoted by the Commission. As a result of this dialogue, an

agreement on combating stress at the workplace was recently reached.

Full text on the website:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/news/2004/nov/musculoskeletaldisorde\

rs_en.html