CONCLUSIONS FROM THE WORKSHOPS

Workshop 1

MSDs in figures: data and statistics

Conclusions

Rapporteur:

Antti Karjalainen

European Commission DG ESTAT Unit F5

MSDs - facts and figures from the EU and EU Member States (Elke Schneider)

Most common occupational disease in Europe: up to 30 000 annual cases per MS, much more in cumulative terms; more than 50% of all ODs, even more among women. About 30% increase in 5 years.

Static postures becoming more relevant at work (sitting and standing) Lower-limb disorders little addressed in exposure assessment and

recognition of diseases Young workers and women are significantly exposed Other important issues: Move from industry to service, working at home,

home carers, working from a remote location, temporary agency work, short-term contracts

Exposure to vibrations is high for young workers and women Overall costs are high. ¼ of days lost, 20% or more of costs of Worker’s

compensation, up to 1.6% of GDP. National examples: how emerging issues and new risks are being addressed

by OSH strategies: campaigns, research, goals

Results of MSDs surveys (Agnès Parent-Thirion)

Self-perceived exposures:25% of EU27 workers say their work affects their health in the form of backache and 23% in the form of muscular pain.

Exposures common and widely spread: All sectors, all age groups, both genders: EU27, exposed more than ¼ of the time: repetitive hand or arm movements 62%, painful and tiring positions 46%, carrying/moving heavy loads 35%, vibrations 24%, standing or walking 73%. Work with computers 46% The higher the level of exposure, the higher the number of reported MSDs etc.

In addition, organisational, psychosocial and individual risk factors play a role see in particular work intensity, long hours

Need to monitor working conditions and understand better relationship between working conditions and reported health outcomes.

Frequent in all sectors, highest in agriculture and construction. Variations between Member States.

MSDs - Monitoring of exposures and related diseases in France(Nicole Guignon)

Nr. of occupational diseases increasing– mainly upper-limb disorders and lumbal affections - 275000 recognised and compensated in 10 years

Physicians-reported: In a regional network 13% of the French working population diagnosed with at least one MSD of the upper limbs. Extrapolated: 3 million in FR

Self-reported: About 28% of French workers have high exposure to MSD risk factors. Extrapolated: 4.8 million in FR (SUMER survey)

Multiple exposures multiply the effects: Up to 50% of workers may have exposure to two or more risk factors of neck, shoulder, forearm or wrist MSD. Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome went up from 1% to 6% when risk factors increased from 0 to two or more

Gender differences: With increasing age and beyond the age of 30, situation of men is improving, situation of women continuously worsening

Discussion, problems, improvements for statistics and prevention

Underreporting of occupational diseases Dependent on recognition criteria, usually requiring work being the main cause. Mainly upper limb MSDs

Lack of EU level data - Much more details available from national monitoring tools on exposure to risk factors, physician reported data, costs and other non-health data, but extrapolation problematic

Issues that need more attention:Gender and youth differences, static postures, vibrations, lower limb disorders, changing work patterns (shifts, nights, weekend work, teleworking, mobile work), services sectors, temporary workers

From figures to policy action: we are seeing examples of national strategies and social partner cooperation to react to these findings