CONCLUSIONS FROM THE WORKSHOPS

1. CONCLUSIONS FROM THE WORKSHOPS

2. Workshop 1 MSDs in figures: data and statistics Conclusions Rapporteur: Antti Karjalainen European Commission DG ESTAT Unit F5

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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