Reducing ill-health due to musculoskeletal disorders
RSSB, and the wider industry, understand the importance of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). They cause approximately 1 in 4 days of sickness absence. For the past years there’s been a Musculoskeletal Disorders Group (MSDG) comprised of representatives from train operating companies, infrastructure managers and owners, infrastructure contractors and suppliers, trade unions, and RSSB that deals specifically with this topic. Its purpose is to provide good practice and guidance to facilitate the prevention and management of MSDs, so rail workers can live full and productive lives throughout their entire career.
Myth busting
Back pain is a common MSD experienced in the general population, so there can be a tendency to assume that we already know how to intervene most effectively. This isn’t necessarily the case. Research in this area is constantly developing so it’s important to keep yourself up-to-date about what actually works rather than using ‘old wives tales’, even inadvertently. For instance, one of our resources is called ‘Back pain myth busting’. In addition, MSDG has created video ‘Everything you need to know about preventing and managing back pain’ that is useful for employees with back pain and managers alike.
MSD resources
We publish a library of resources about MSDs, including what they are, how musculoskeletal injuries or difficulties can occur, ergonomics issues, and how to prevent and manage MSDs. There’s also an MSD risk assessment tool for train drivers which contains information, guidance, and a template for the risk assessment. Increasingly, rail is recognising that effective MSD prevention and management needs to consider both the work and home environment so that risk factors are kept consistently low in both contexts.
What rail companies are doing
Learning from case studies from within rail shows what is possible, as well as being inspiring. We have several case studies relating to different aspects of MSDs, from the MSD risk assessment of train cabs, to developing company-wide MSD policies, to integrating health and wellbeing competences for line managers. And these case studies haven’t all come from just one company. Different companies are taking action where they can to reduce the impact of MSDs.
MSD project under development
RSSB is currently working on a new project that will explore the risk and extent of MSDs in GB rail. The project will undertake the first industry-wide MSD survey, providing new data that will allow organisations to understand the landscape and severity of the problem and tackle MSDs in the workplace. It will also identify the areas the industry should prioritise to improve musculoskeletal health of the rail workforce. The survey, which will be accessible via a link or QR code, will go live at the beginning of 2024 and will be distributed across the GB rail industry covering all sectors and job roles contributing to railway operations. For more information please contact Kirsten.Huysamen@rssb.co.uk.
We already have a comprehensive suite of resources to help you manage MSD risk, and look forward to the output of the new project on this important issue soon. Working collaboratively with industry will help ensure the quality and relevance of the resources we publish.
