Similarities between work related musculoskeletal disorders and slips, trips and falls

Abstract

Most occupational risks manifest themselves through movements performed at work, for example musculoskeletal disorders, slips, trips and falls. Research focusing on such risks often differentiates diseases from accidents. All these risks prove to be diffuse, widespread, emergent and devoid of an external harmful hazard, when analysed through their common vector, i.e. through the movements manifesting them. These characteristics have a strong impact on risk perception and on approaches necessary to ensure sustainable prevention. A participative search for local solutions to preventing these risks, integrating shared risk representation and several analysis levels, would seem helpful. A balance between defended and resilience-based conceptions of health and safety should be established. Research should also be extended to enhance in-depth understanding of controls impacting worker movements when performing a task, while safeguarding health and safety.

State of science: occupational slips, trips and falls on the same level

“…It is notable that slipping has been a particular area of attention, forming a large part of the discussions at STF symposia over the years, for example, at the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety international symposium on the measurement of slipperiness (Courtney et al 2001a). Some researchers have, however, suggested that use of the ‘slips, trips and falls’ terminology and the tendency to focus on slipping fail to give sufficient recognition to other important causes of injuries on level surfaces involving loss of balance (Lortie and Rizzo 1999) or movement disturbance (Leclercq, Monteau, and Cuny 2010; Leclercq et al 2014; Leclercq et al 2015). …”

“…stress, motivation). A comprehensive understanding of balance and movement control in occupational situations requires consideration of not only the biomechanics of movement, but also the cognitive, psychological and organisational aspects (Leclercq et al 2015). Indeed, displacements and, more generally, the movements performed at work are subjected to continuous adjustment of the required task as well as individual, organisational and environmental constraints.…”

“…Various authors have emphasised the role of organisational influences on worker exposure to STFL hazards and eliminating or controlling risks (Bentley and Haslam 2001b; Leclercq and Thouy 2004; Derosier et al 2008; Leclercq 2014; Leclercq et al 2015), while others argued explicitly for a systems or macro-ergonomics approach to STFL prevention (Leclercq 2002; Gao and Abeysekera 2004; Maynard and Robertson 2007; Bentley 2009). The reasoning for a systems approach is that for any STFL incident, its genesis will lie within the context of a socio-technical system, i.e.…”

How Do Resilience and Low Back Dysfunction Matter?

“…A recent study indicated a balance should be established between defended and resilience-based conceptions of health and safety (Leclercq, Cuny-Guerrier, Gaudez & Aublet-Cuvelier, 2015). As the majority of musculoskeletal injuries manifest themselves through slips, trips and falls, these events have a strong impact on risk perception and on approaches necessary to ensure sustainable prevention.…”

“…As the majority of musculoskeletal injuries manifest themselves through slips, trips and falls, these events have a strong impact on risk perception and on approaches necessary to ensure sustainable prevention. Research should also be extended to enhance an indepth understanding of controls impacting worker movements when performing a task, while safeguarding health and safety (Leclercq, Cuny-Guerrier, Gaudez & Aublet-Cuvelier, 2015). It is evident that a greater resilience possibly allows for a decrease in these events or a greater ability to cope with the events.…”