Ergonomic health issues, such as stiff necks, aches and pain in the back, shoulders or hands, cost Singapore S$3.5 billion a year

Stiff necks, back aches cost S$3.5b each year

SINGAPORE — It may come as a surprise to some, but ergonomic health issues, such as stiff necks, aches and pain in the back, shoulders or hands, cost Singapore S$3.5 billion a year, said the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council.

MARCH 28

SINGAPORE — It may come as a surprise to some, but ergonomic health issues, such as stiff necks, aches and pain in the back, shoulders or hands, cost Singapore S$3.5 billion a year, said the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council.

A survey conducted by the WSH Institute in 2008 showed that 6.9 per cent of the 4,500 employees surveyed had a work-related health problem. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders were identified as the leading problem, accounting for 41 per cent of all work-related health problems reported.

In 2012, there were 987 confirmed cases of occupational diseases. Noise-induced deafness was the leading cause, followed by occupational skin disease and work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Occupational diseases not only affect a worker’s health and could become a lifelong problem, but they also add economic cost to the company and the country, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower and Education Hawazi Daipi at the Workplace Ergonomics Forum yesterday.

To address this, Mr Hawazi said the council has launched a set of guidance materials to help employers apply good ergonomic practices in the workplace.

The guidelines include tips for establishing and implementing an in-house ergonomics programme and good ergonomic practices in the workplace. Materials to help companies identify risks from poor work postures during manual lifting and office work are also provided.

“I think we all need to be more conscious about this. As employers and leaders in our organisations, we have to pay closer attention to these issues, so our workers can be well protected and continuously function well in our organisations,” said Mr Hawazi.

The WSH Council is also developing an e-learning module course on awareness of ergonomic issues at work. Not only will the module provide firms with an understanding of common risks, such as forceful exertion and awkward postures, but it will also propose measures to address these risks.

Companies that wish to redesign their workplace ergonomically can apply for funding under the WorkPro programme administered by the Singapore National Employers Federation and the National Trades Union Congress. The programme aims to foster progressive workplaces and assist companies in improving workplace practices.

Mr Hawazi said everyone’s commitment is needed “to look into their workplaces and make adjustments to address workplace health risks to prevent injuries and ill health”. “An effective workplace health programme can reduce health risks and improve the quality of life for our workers,” he added.