Programs | Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) Interventions

Health-related programs to prevent WMSDs^1-10

Employee programs refer to activities that include active employee involvement, such as classes, seminars or competitions. Employee programs are frequently provided on-site at the workplace.

Provide lifestyle health promotion programs in the workplace

• Studies have shown that exercise (i.e., improving overall fitness, strength, and flexibility) can reduce the incidence of low back pain, but the results are moderate and temporary
• Weight management can lower a person’s risk for osteoarthritis and the pain and disability that accompany arthritis can be decreased through early diagnosis and appropriate management, including self-management activities such as weight management and physical activity
• Research has shown that physical activity decreases pain, improves function, and delays disability for persons with arthritis
• The health-related program strategies and interventions for physical activity and obesity include lifestyle activities that can be promoted to individuals with arthritis and low back pain

Provide training to management and workers regarding workplace risks for WMSDs

• Instructional training programs aimed at reducing workplace injuries are frequently promoted as a readily available and an economical approach to the control of workplace injury
• The CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends training to expand management and worker ability to recognize, evaluate and reduce potential WMSDs risks
• Training programs can include a focus on general ergonomics awareness (e.g., lifting and lowering, pushing and pulling, carrying, risk factors such as posture and vibration); formal instruction in job analysis for identifying and controlling risk factors for WMSDs; and how to develop a team approach to build consensus and problem solve ergonomics issues in the workplace
• Training is not intended to have workers or managers diagnose and treat WMSDs, but raise awareness and knowledge of the type of health problems that may be work-related and when to refer employees for medical evaluation
• The CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Elements of Ergonomic Programs primer contains detailed discussion and examples on developing training programs

Community education programs on arthritis self-management are effective in managing arthritis

• Self-management education is a key step in improving health outcomes and quality of life for people with arthritis. It focuses on self-care behaviors, such as being physically active, managing pain, goal-setting, communicating with providers, and other skills. It is a collaborative process in which trained instructors help people with arthritis gain the knowledge, problem-solving and coping skills, and the belief in their own capabilities (i.e., self-efficacy) needed to successfully self-manage the disease and its related conditions