Bigger workloads injure 4000 a week

Work strain is estimated to contribute to as many as 4000 new injuries every week - or an injury every 2.5 minutes in Australian workplaces, according to the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).

The peak union body has launched a national campaign to reduce 'work strain' among people with high-pressure jobs.

Work strain has been linked to the increasing incidence of headaches, chronic muscle tension and pain.

"What is most alarming is that the research shows that work strain is affecting large numbers of people in industries traditionally not associated with big health and safety risks," says ACTU president Sharan Burrow. "Research shows that work strain worsens existing musculoskeletal disorders and creates other health problems."

"Call centre workers, nurses, teachers, office and retail workers are increasingly the victims of work strain injury, as well as people in more traditional high risk jobs in manufacturing, constructing, transport and distribution."

key factors in work strain are excessive workloads, long hours, job insecurity, and a lack of control over one's work in combination with physical aspects such as lifting and carrying loads, poor posture, and exertion.

Common symptoms of 'work strain' include neck and shoulder pain, stabbing pain in the arms and wrist, pins and needles, aching legs and feet, tension headaches, and exhaustion.

"Employers are resisting efforts to reduce the strain of intense and high pressure work practices despite studies which show a strong link between stress and chronic physical pain," says Burrow. "Over the next year, the ACTU will campaign to expose the problem of 'work strain' and to highlight the link between stress and physical pain."

The ACTU national health and safety campaign - 'Work strain causes real pain - no body should put up with it' -calls for leadership from the Federal Government.

The ACTU has called for improvements to health and safety laws to specifically refer to 'work strain' and psychosocial hazards as well as to provide accurate national data on workplace injuries.

The ACTU has also called for more employers to voluntarily adopt safer work practices dealing with the whole work environment and harsher penalties for those putting employees at risk of injuries or illness.

Workers and union members are encouraged to speak out about work strain and to seek compensation for a work-related injury or disease.

The ACTU is encouraging injured workers and those affected by work strain to contact the Union Hotline on 1800 362 223.

To discuss this and many other interesting OH & S topics visit our discussion boards at http://unionsafe.labor.net.au/shoptalk/

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Last modified: Tuesday, 15-Nov-2005 20:37:35 EST