Angels do their work

STAFF at Pakenham Aged Care were treated to a therapeutic massage last week as part of a campaign targeting musculo-skeletal injuries.
The innovative WorkSafe Victoria campaign focuses on musculo-skeletal injuries (MSIs), which are suffered by 400 Victorians each week.
Sixty per cent of all workplace injuries – more than 17,000 a year in Victoria – are caused by work-related MSIs.
In the past five years the Cardinia Shire area has recorded 906 WorkCover claims, with about 544 MSI-related claims.
WorkSafe’s Executive Director, John Merritt, said the WorkSafe Angels helped take health messages to workers and employers to remind them that MSIs were generally unseen and resulted in back pain, soft tissue injuries to necks, arms, shoulders and legs and were often overlooked as a risk to business.
“We want employers to be aware of the potential injuries caused by poor manual handling practices and repetitive work, which can cause damage slowly, as well as the potential for slips, trips and falls,” he said.
“If they are not aware of the risks, workers will continue to lose quality of life and many may face being unable to work for a short period of time.”
He said some people needed surgery, could have permanent pain or never fully recover.
“For employers productivity is cut, there may be staff replacement costs and retraining and safety improvements to be made after the event,” he said.
MSIs describe a wide range of sudden and slow onset injuries affecting muscles, bones, tendons, blood vessels, nerves and other soft tissues. Common MSIs include lower back pain, tendonitis, ruptured discs, abnormal hernias, carpal tunnel syndrome and muscle sprains and strains.
“We want employees and employers to talk safety. The WorkSafe Angels are a great way of getting the conversation started where it needs to occur – in the workplace,” Mr Merritt said.
“The WorkSafe Angels have been briefed on causes and solutions for MSIs and will also be providing tips on raising potential safety issues with employers and workers. WorkSafe representatives will also circulate safety-focussed materials during each visit.”
For more information, visit www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/backonsafety