Help your clients prevent musculoskeletal injuries in remote workspaces

SIPHOKAZI PARIRENYATWA Disability Manager, Momentum Corporate

Research by Momentum Corporate shows that 44% of employers plan to adopt a hybrid work model going forward. The findings further indicate that employees are overwhelmingly in favour of work-from-home or hybrid work models.

Remote working environments present new risks that, if not managed, will reduce employee productivity and accelerate the rise in musculoskeletal-related disability claims. This is because many makeshift home offices are unergonomic, affecting tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves and intravertebral discs. Financial advisors should raise this issue with their corporate clients, and encourage them to take proactive, preventative actions to reduce these risks.

At a Momentum Corporate live talk show with ergonomics experts, which included occupational therapist and ergonomics consultant Phumla Motsa, and Andre van Rooyen, head of occupational hygiene services at Momentum Wellness, Motsa revealed that pain is the first clinical sign of an injury and has a significant impact on absenteeism and presenteeism – the condition when an employee is at work but not engaged or productive.

The global increase in computer work and all things digital is coinciding with an increased prevalence in workrelated musculoskeletal disorders. Even before Covid-19 and the move to remote working, musculoskeletal disabilities were one of Momentum Corporate’s top three disability claims.

At Momentum Corporate, we follow a human-first approach and really feel for employees experiencing this kind of pain. No one looks forward to a day of work when battling pain. This inevitably impacts employees’ quality of life and productivity.

In 2013, the Department of Employment and Labour formed a technical committee with representation from business, labour and government, to develop ergonomics regulations. These regulations urge companies to comply with certain mandatory requirements by 30 June 2020. Some of these requirements include:

• an ergonomics risk assessment to evaluate ergonomic risk

• removing or reducing exposure to ergonomic risks by implementing control measures

• educating employees and contractors on the basics of ergonomics, including the risks and procedures to address ergonomic-related issues.

These regulations are not just for traditional workplace environments. If we presume that employees working from home will, in most instances, be acting in the course and scope of their employment, it means that their residence constitutes a “workplace”, as defined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Even before Covid-19 and the move to remote working, musculoskeletal disabilities were one of Momentum Corporate’s top three disability claims

There are some easy behaviours employees can adopt to avoid these injuries. For example, regular breaks and changing position relieves the pressure on joints and muscles, helps blood circulation and promotes mobility in your joints. Active breaks and changes in posture can reduce the risk of new neck and lower back pain by 55 to 66% respectively.

Before pain leaves your clients’ employees feeling disabled and unengaged, encourage your clients to educate their employees on these issues and encourage ergonomically healthy behaviour. Some simple mobility exercises for employees, guidance for them to evaluate their workspace and ensuring it is ergonomically healthy, is a good start.