9^th April 2002

Inequality Linked to Musculoskeletal Disorders at Work

A study by the Robens Centre for Health Ergonomics at the University of Surrey found that poor social support and low status work could lead to higher incidence of musculoskeletal disorders. The review, published by the Health and Safety Executive, also showed that people with poor job security, low pay, piecework payment and lack of access to health information are more likely to have musculoskeletal disorders.

According to Professor Peter Buckle at the Robens Centre, "access to health information and education at work can play a role in the prevention and reduction of musculoskeletal ill health, unfortunately people do not have equal access to such information." While all sections of the workforce have been affected by job insecurity, temporary contract work and piecework, the less skilled manual workers at the lower end of the labour market were most affected. These job conditions showed an association with increased musculoskeletal illness.

People in low status work (unskilled or repetitive work, jobs where no training is required, or jobs with low pay or low control) also stood a higher chance of developing musculoskeletal disorders. Low income levels, which are often linked to occupational class and low status jobs, appear to be associated with greater occurrence of these disorders.

The study also reviewed individual factors like age, gender, ethnicity and education level, as these factors are considered important in explaining the relationship between inequality and other health conditions. For example, research on individual factors indicates that older people and women are more likely to suffer from musculoskeletal disorders. "The link between older age and musculoskeletal ill health can be attributed to more years spent in work," Valerie Woods of the Robens Centre explained. "and differences in job conditions, experience at work and home and willingness to report illness could be reasons why more women are seen as prone to musculoskeletal disorders".

The findings come at a time when the publication of the Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health report stated that all policies having a direct effect on health should be evaluated in terms of their impact on health inequalities and should favour the less well off to try to reduce these inequalities.

For further information about this study, please contact Valerie Woods at the Robens Centre for Health Ergonomics, Tel 01483 686738 or E-mail: v.woods@surrey.ac.uk

Media enquiries: Liezel Tipper, Press Officer at the University of Surrey, Tel: 01483 689314 or E-mail: press-office@surrey.ac.uk

Notes to Editors

1. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) may affect the upper limbs (neck, shoulders, arms, hands, wrists and fingers), back and lower limbs (knees, hips, feet) and can result in debilitation pain, discomfort or numbness. MSDs arise in many forms and the symptoms are frequently non-specific. Some disorders exhibit well defined signs and symptoms (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis, tennis elbow), others are less well defined such as myalgic conditions involving pain and discomfort, numbness and tingling sensations throughout the neck, shoulders, upper limbs, lower back and lower limbs.

2. The Robens Centre for Health Ergonomics has addressed work related health and safety issues for 25 years and its research and teaching activities are recognised world-wide. The research is primarily aimed at the prevention and management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders affecting the back, neck and upper limbs. As well as providing new research, the centre is actively involved in providing guidance to work organisations and National and European regulatory bodies. The centre measures physical, psychological and organisational aspects of the work system, using instrument and questionnaire/interview based methods.

3. The University of Surrey is one of the UK's leading professional, scientific and technological universities with a world class research profile and a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Ground-breaking research at the University is bringing direct benefit to all spheres of life - helping industry to maintain its competitive edge and creating improvements in the areas of health, medicine, space science, the environment, communications, defence and social policy. Programmes in science and technology have gained widespread recognition and it also boasts flourishing programmes in dance and music, social sciences, management and languages and law. In addition to the campus on 150 hectares just outside Guildford, Surrey, the University also owns and runs the Surrey Research Park, which provides facilities for 80 companies employing 2,500 staff.