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Skamagki G.1, King A.1, Duncan M.2, Wåhlin C.3
1Coventry University, Physiotherapy, Coventry, United Kingdom, 2Coventry University, Applied Sports and Exercise Science, Coventry, United Kingdom, 3Institute for Environmental Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
Background: Musculoskeletal conditions cause disability and distress, increase healthcare cost demands and reduce productivity due to sick loss days and impaired work performance. The majority of European countries reported that musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most prevalent of all occupational diseases reaching over 82% of cases in Italy, Germany, Austria and the United Kingdom (UK). The UK Labour Force Survey in 2015, demonstrated that 44% of the employees taking sick leave suffered from musculoskeletal pain. Recently, the Trades Union Congress reported that 83.6% of employees were forced to stop working before the State Pension Age due to musculoskeletal disorders.
Purpose: During the last decade, numerous organisations and professional bodies have published reports with recommendations that target the health and wellbeing of workers. The Government's response has set out strategies to support the health and wellbeing of the working age population. This literature review identified and synthesised the current reports, policies and recommendations that aim to promote health and safety at the workplace and tackle occupational musculoskeletal health issues in the UK.
Methods: Numerous websites were searched, as well as grey literature, including Institute for Work & Health, Return to work knowledge and European Agency for Safety & Health at Work. Databases used in this search were Cochrane Library, PubMed, Medline, Scopus, CINAHL, AMED and Google Scholar. The literature search included articles that were published between 2000 and 2016 and their focus was the United Kingdom.
Results: A total of 40 reports were identified, analysed and synthesised. Mixed results emerged from the review; the UK cross-government initiative, Fit for work, allows employers and general practitioners to refer their employees/patients who have been off sick for an occupational health assessment, NICE guidelines suggest the involvement of the line manager in the management of the health of the employees and a Health for work advice line gives guidance for occupational health problems to both employees and employers. However, little is known about the implementation of the existing policies to support companies investing in workplace safety in the UK.
Conclusion(s): Currently there is no UK service provided to manage musculoskeletal conditions at the workplace. The European Trades Union Institute mapping the Occupational Health Services around Europe highlighted that no data were offered for the UK as occupational health services are not provided by specialized healthcare professionals. Results from the latest Engineering Employers´ Federation UK survey highlighted that the governments fit note isnt working. In addition, few trials have been identified promoting the role of physiotherapy at the workplace.
Implications: It is unknown if the UK Governments response to recommendations and policies has been implemented and used in the UK. Demographics and the increases in pension age mean that the burden of musculoskeletal disorders in the workforce are projected to worsen. Further research is necessary to identify what individual companies are doing in the workplace for the health of their employees.
Funding acknowledgements: None
Topic: Occupational health & ergonomics
Ethics approval: Coventry University Research Ethics Committee
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
