Exposure to biomechanical demands, pain and fatigue symptoms and the provision of controls in Australian workplaces

• Safe Work Australia

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16 March 2011Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are collectively one of the eight priority occupational diseases for Australia. They account for the largest proportion of occupational disease workers’ compensation claims in Australia. Exposure to biomechanical demands at work, such as repetitive hand or arm movements, and awkward postures are one of a number of work-related factors that are associated with the development or worsening of WMSDs.

In 2008, the National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance (NHEWS) survey was conducted to obtain a picture of occupational exposures to workplace hazards in Australia. Together with other hazard data, the NHEWS survey collected information on exposure to biomechanical demands, pain and fatigue symptoms and the provision of control measures for biomechanical demands. This report describes the prevalence of exposure to biomechanical demands in Australian workers. It examines the demographic and employment characteristics of people exposed to these demands and who experience pain and fatigue symptoms. Demographic and employment factors associated with the provision of particular control measures were also explored.