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What is the link between musculoskeletal injuries, and drugs and alcohol?

Musculoskeletal injuries are the focus of the last week of National Safe Work Month. To understand how significant musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) are in the workplace, you only need look at workers’ compensation data with MSIs accounting for around half of all serious claims.

However, you might be wondering, what do MSIs, and drugs and alcohol have in common?

What are musculoskeletal injuries?

Before looking at the links between drugs and alcohol, and musculoskeletal injuries, let’s first look at what these injuries are.

Musculoskeletal injuries – or MSIs – involve damage or disorders affecting the muscles, bones, joints and connective tissues. These injuries can result from gradual wear and tear or sudden trauma. Common MSIs include sprains, strains, back injuries, nerve compression (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome) and injuries caused by vibration.

When it comes to compensation claims, labourers top the list of workers who suffer MSIs (23%), followed by community and personal service workers (22%), and technicians, trades workers, machinery operators and drivers (16% each). Industries with the most MSI claims are health care and social assistance (22%), construction (11%) and manufacturing (10%).

MSIs don’t just stem from physical hazards in the workplace. They can also be due to psychosocial hazards, such as excessive work demands, a stressful environment or inadequate support. To prevent MSIs in the workplace, employers should focus on eliminating hazards and designing workspaces and tasks to reduce risk in a consultative process.

The link – or should we say links – between drugs, alcohol and MSIs

What are the links between MSIs, drugs and alcohol?

There are actually two and the first is reasonably obvious. That is, if you are drunk or under the influence of drugs you are at a higher risk of musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) in the workplace.

Substance use can impair coordination, judgment and reaction times, increasing the likelihood of accidents or injuries, especially in physically demanding jobs. Alcohol and drugs can also affect balance and muscle control, leading to accidents such as slips, falls or the mishandling of equipment.

The second links is perhaps one that’s less obvious and it involves the long-term consequences of substance use. Long-term substance use, whether from excessive alcohol consumption, illegal drugs or even licit medications taken without prescription, has been linked to an increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) in the workplace, home, or community.

Research has shown, for example, that chronic alcohol use weakens bones, disrupts muscle function and impairs balance, making individuals more vulnerable to falls and other injuries. Studies show that even moderate alcohol consumption can contribute to muscle degeneration and hinder recovery from physical stress.

In the workplace, the combination of impaired judgment and reduced physical capabilities can significantly elevate the risk of injury. Employers should take proactive measures to manage substance use among workers and raise awareness about the risks involved. Addressing substance use is essential not only for reducing MSIs but also for improving overall workplace safety.

All of which makes drug and alcohol education in your workplace, as part of a comprehensive drug and alcohol management plan, even more important.

Safety is everyone’s business

This year’s National Safe Work Month theme, “Safety is everyone’s business,” highlights the essential need for safe and healthy work environments as a basic right for all workers. It also emphasises that creating a safe workplace is a collective responsibility, shared by everyone from senior management to front-line employees.

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What is the link between musculoskeletal injuries, and drugs and alcohol?

October is National Safe Work Month.

By Michael

Michael is the founder of Integrity Sampling and is responsible for overseeing all national operations. He is based at Integrity Sampling's head office in Melbourne and is also responsible for the co-ordination of drug and alcohol testing within Victoria, assisting in the implementation of drug and alcohol (fit for work) policies and the presentation of drug and alcohol education and awareness programs. You can connect with Michael Wheeldon on LinkedIn

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