October 2021
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October is National Safe Work Month - a month to recognise and commit to building a safe and healthy workplace for all. In Australia, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (including conditions like repetitive strain injuries; back pain; arthritis; tendinitis; bursitis) are the leading work health and safety problem.
A safe and healthy workplace benefits our overall health and wellbeing. This year's theme for National Safe Work Month is think safe, work
safe and be safe.
This is the first step to thinking about workplace health and safety, where employers and businesses should identify risks to maintain a safe and healthy workplace.
Working safe is about implementing work health and safety measures to manage, reduce or avoid workplace risks and incidents.
Being safe considers the importance of managing and monitoring work health and safety risks as an ongoing process, rather than just a
one-off event.
Each week of October focuses on a different topic for managing, minimising or avoiding physical and psychological harm to create safe and
healthy workplaces.
Week 1 focuses on keeping all workers safe.
Week
2 focuses on Mental Health.
Week 3 emphasises
the importance of clean air and clean lungs.
Week
4
identifies hazards inside and outside of the workplace.
IN FOCUS
Week 4: Inside and Out
For people living with or at risk of arthritis or other musculoskeletal disorders, it is important to consider risks and hazards when working indoors or outdoors.
For example, desk jobs mostly involve working indoors and in confined spaces. Sitting for too long in one position can increase your risk of chronic disease, such as arthritis, neck pain, heart disease and depression. It is important to pace your activities throughout the day and stay mobile while working.
Read our new article to learn more about the link between arthritis and prolonged sitting, and tips on what you can do to sit less and move more in the workplace.
The day-to-day demands of working outdoors, for example construction jobs, may also pose significant challenges for people living with or at risk of arthritis. It may increase your risk of falls or injuries that can cause arthritis-related symptoms, such as joint damage, pain and stiffness.
To learn more about how you can stay proactive and reduce your risk of falls and injuries, read our article on Falls
and Arthritis - Tips for Keeping on your Feet.
You can also visit Safe Work Australia to learn more about National Safe Work Month and how to get involved this October.
Related articles:
Arthritis and Prolonged Sitting
in the Workplace
Falls and Arthritis - Tips for Keeping on your Feet
Managing Pain and Fatigue at Work
Exercises You Can Do at Work
References
Safe Work Australia: National Safe Work Month https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/national-safe-work-month
Safe Work Australia: Musculoskeletal Disorders https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/media-centre/musculoskeletal-disorders-symposium-addressing-sedentary-behaviour-occupational
Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Australia 2019: National Data Set for Compensation-based Statistics (NDS) https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/system/files/documents/1912/work-related_musculoskeletal_disorders_in_australia_0.pdf
You can make a difference by supporting the work of Arthritis Queensland. Arthritis Queensland is 95% community funded. We rely on our generous donors and volunteers to ensure that we can continue to provide solutions and support to adults and children living with the pain of arthritis.