Painful in many ways

By Bridget Cook
MUSCULOSKELETAL injuries (MSIs) have cost Casey-based businesses almost $50 million in the past five years.
According to new WorkSafe Victoria statistics, there were 1855 workers compensation claims made from workers to Casey employers in the five years to June 2011.
MSIs, which include broken bones, crook backs, sprains and torn ligaments, continue to be Victoria’s leading source of WorkSafe claims – with businesses paying out almost $1 billion a year.
There are more than 15,000 new cases of workers being seriously injured every year, from routine tasks including moving, lifting and lowering objects and preventable trips and falls.
Industries including manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance, construction, public administration and safety, transport, postal and warehousing accounted for most of the claims.
Cardinia businesses have forked out more than $10 million for claims and Greater Dandenong businesses nearly $140 million in the past five years – almost $200 million paid out in the south east.
WorkSafe Victoria launched a new campaign last month to highlight how easily these expensive and hard to treat injuries can be prevented.
WorkSafe’s executive director of health and safety Ian Forsyth said a lot of the injuries are a result of basic issues that could easily be prevented.
“Every week we hear about footballers who suffer similar injuries which puts them out of action for weeks or months, but when it happens to somebody who has just gone to work, it becomes an invisible issue,” he said.
“While Victoria has achieved a record-low rate of injury among workers and its workplaces are the safest they’ve ever been, we are still seeing thousands of workers hurt every year.
“It’s an issue employers, supervisors and company directors must act on. It’s costing them money and it’s hurting the people who work for them.”
Mr Forsyth said it cost an average of $55,000 in medical costs, wages and other expenses to treat a musculoskeletal injury.
“Ensuring workers are properly trained and supervised, that they have and use appropriate equipment to lift and move loads, that spills are cleaned up and safe systems of work are in place will reduce the opportunity for these injuries to happen,” he said.
“Often people know what has to be done to get the job done safely, but shortcuts can be taken. Often, it can be a shortcut to a serious health problem.
“We urge workers and supervisors to think twice, because the consequences hurt the person, who may be off work for a considerable period, and the business through their premium.”
To view the campaign and to find out more about MSIs and how they can be prevented, visit www.worksafe.vic.gov.au.