The bodies of employees can become stressed out by handling materials manually jobs. The physical nature of the work overwhelms the musculoskeletal system, and when fatigue exceeds recovery, a muscular imbalance develops, which may frequently result in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The process of risk analysis and basic preventative concepts should serve as the foundation for monitoring work-related MSDs (Lewis et al., 2019). A holistic, diversified intervention is needed to manage MSDs in the workplace adequately. It is possible to identify activities or practices that have the potential to induce or exacerbate MSDs that are predominantly brought on by or made worsened by the workplace using a variety of strategies.
Organizational intervention strategies, which cover a wide variety of measurements connected to the organizational structure, are one of the tactics that can be employed to identify processes that have the potential to cause or aggravate MSDs. As a result, organizational intervention strategies assist in monitoring the physical load and analyze workers to evaluate their psychosocial work environment. Work-related MSDs are not only caused by physical risk factors but also by psychosocial and organizational work factors, and monitoring the demands of the workers, decision latitude, co-worker or supervisor support, or effort-reward imbalance help combat MSDs in the workplace.
Workplace technical strategies, often known as ergonomic or engineering solutions, can help evaluate physical labour and lower the risk for MSDs in employees. To identify factors that cause or aggravate MSDs, these interventions may, among other things, concentrate on the monitoring or reducing risks connected to manual handling of loads, working in awkward postures, repetitive work, and hand-arm jobs (Lewis et al., 2019).
Participatory approach strategies are among those that can aid in keeping an eye on processes that have the potential to worsen or cause MSDs. To accurately determine what elements contribute to the production or aggravation of MSDs, these strategies rely on actively including the workers in organizing and overseeing a sizable portion of their work activities. To improve working conditions, safety, productivity, quality, and comfort, ergonomic information, procedures, and modifications should be implemented.
Organizations should employ strategies to study the problems with work-related MSDs, devise methods for identifying situations where MSDs are likely to occur regularly, and identify efficient methods for handling work-related MSDs. Monitoring the formation and escalation of MSDs is made possible by having strategies in place that keep an eye on workplace regulations and practices to help identify work-related MSDs and manage chronic MSDs (Lewis et al., 2019). To help identify factors that have the potential to cause or aggravate MSDs, health screening strategies which are a collection of tests and measurements designed to promote well-being and identify health concerns among staff, should be adopted. The results of these physicals will be used to evaluate any MSDs health concerns that may exist.
An integrated, comprehensive identification strategy is required since work-related MSDs are generated by numerous risk variables of a biomechanical, biobehavioral, psychological, and institutional character. Three action levels are necessary for strategies: primary assessment, technical implementation, and organizational measures, with a combined focus on the risk assessment process (Lewis et al., 2019). Early detection and intervention strategies aim to encourage and ease the monitoring of the MSDs problem among workers. It may also be successful if the integrated approach plan is ingrained in a supportive setting and a strongly goal-oriented company culture.
Reference
Lewis, R., Gómez Álvarez, C. B., Rayman, M., Lanham-New, S., Woolf, A., & Mobasheri, A. (2019). Strategies for optimising Musculoskeletal Health in the 21st Century. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 20(1). Web.