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Related theory

An ergonomic work systems approach to preventing musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace has long been advocated and forms the basis of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations ([45]). In order to ensure the health, safety, performance, comfort and wellbeing of all employees, it is essential for them to avoid hazardous physical tasks or for such tasks to be rigorously risk assessed if they cannot be avoided, so as to remove or reduce physical stresses and strains on the body. An ergonomic work systems approach takes into consideration all aspects of the work system, both in the assessment process and in the risk reduction process, to ensure that no hazard goes unnoticed and that all risks are identified and then removed or minimized. This includes:
  • the nature of the task
  • the characteristics of the individual staff member (weight, height, age, etc.) and their colleagues
  • the nature of the load itself
  • the environment
  • any equipment available
  • less tangible psychosocial hazards, such as time pressures and staff shortages.
It is a continuous and dynamic problem‐solving approach, and is an essential component of a healthcare professional's clinical reasoning when caring for patients.
It is vital to ensure that staff are working within this safe system; for example, there should be:
  • enough staff
  • usable, adjustable and well‐maintained equipment for which staff have received training
  • good environmental workplace design
  • training on the risk assessment and reduction process.
Once this system has been established, how healthcare professionals look after themselves and move their bodies when carrying out physical work tasks can further reduce the risk of injury.
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