New study into Stress at Work and Musculoskeletal Disorders (Feb 2005)

Largest study on Stress and MSD

A pioneering study, funded by the HSE, into stress, work and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), which is the largest ever conducted in the UK on the relationship between work-related stress and MSD, has recently been released.

Taking over three years to complete the study involved 8000 workers in 20 companies across 11 industrial sectors nationwide.

The study showed that factors such as:

Age
Gender
Neuroticism or
Negative mood

had little or no part to play in the development of MSD.

Physical and Psychological Factors Involved in MSD Disorders

However, the study did show that both physical and psychological aspects of work were directly involved in the development of these disorders.

The major new finding is that work-related stress plays a role in the onset of these disorders.

Signs of work-related stress and MSD are indications of imbalances between people and processes in work the workplace. It is suggested culture change is required to avoid stressors in the workplace brought and might include:

Improved communication
Organisational trust
Employee participation in higher level management decisions and daily operations

Dr. Devereux (University of Surrey) who conducted the study comments:

“Work related stress and musculoskeletal problems are such huge problems for organisations and they rarely know who to turn to for good advice and expertise to deal with both of these problems and reduce costs simultaneously. In my experience, strategic management decisions to manage these problems have led to substantial business improvements as well as cost savings.”

Dr. Devereux’s practical implementation of these principles at GlaxoSmithKline saw over 30 ergonomic improvements implemented in the first year, and the number of MSDs reported falling by 40%. Similar sites, which did not implement the ergonomics management programme, showed no signs of improvement. Cost benefits relating to the production process were also demonstrated.

The success of the ergonomic management has seen it incorporated into GSK's global strategy to reduce occupationally induced musculoskeletal injury and illness.