Report explores the connections between psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal disorders
A new report explores the connections between psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the workplace using data from the latest European Working Conditions Survey and European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks.
The report highlights the importance of holistic risk assessments and creating a healthy company culture for tackling psychosocial and MSD risks, and improving worker wellbeing. It finds that some psychosocial factors — such as working time, job security and support from management — have more of an impact on MSDs than factors related to socio demographics, country or economic sector. This means that measures at workplace level to address and eliminate psychosocial risks can be highly effective in preventing MSDs.
The report presents a conceptual framework to explain work-related risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and mental wellbeing. It analyses data from the latest European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) and European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks (ESENER) to explore how job characteristics of individual workers (such as biomechanical and psychosocial factors) and company-level occupational safety and health management practices are related to MSDs and wellbeing.
Finding that some psychosocial factors strongly influence MSDs and wellbeing, the report provides recommendations and highlights the need for holistic risk assessments, to minimise negative health outcomes at workplace level.
