The design of PPE, we are still struggling to get things to fit women properly. That includes everything from face masks to body armour. Boots designed for men are wider than for women so we end up with flappy feet inside boots and blisters. There is a great book by Caroline Criado Perez with the title Invisible Women about how in all sorts of areas (medicine, crash testing, etc etc.) we do not include women in the data (I dont get commission!). As a starting point does everyone have a diverse safety committee?

Agree completely with Ian but important that we work with industry to co-design useful and usable research.

I would recommend an ergonomics assessment to evaluate the impact of mousing on the problem. Yes outside of work factors might influence but have a look at how the individual is using the mouse. Are they resting their hand on the desk causing wrist extension while using the mouse - you should really be using your whole arm to move it. is the mouse as close as possible to the person? Number of clicks can also cause problems so does the software need reviewing.

Hi Everyone
What an interesting discussion and one of the things we are tasked with doing now is writing paragraphs and lay summaries to go alongside papers. Knowledge isn't usable unless its shared. Having done research for IOSH, there is the demand there for the short report which is more accessible and usable (gets to the point more quickly!)..
If you do find abstracts on Google and want the full paper, contact the author. ResearchGate is also a useful resource where authors can be contacted and when possible can upload papers when copyright allows.

Agree with Matt, have a look at the HSE guidance website as it does give some ideas for risk assessment approaches https://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/ . The requirements in the UK came from the Pregnant Workers Directive so has been implemented under UK law, not NZ law.

Would recommend one of the Piper Alpha documentaries, I know there is one on YouTube.
The Chernobyl series was amazing and it did bring home the impact on people's lives.

Think all the last three comments are great and I do worry about random testing.

I wonder if there is a route to making cannabis use unacceptable at work. We have seen culture change in relation to alcohol and drink driving (a work in progress in both UK and NZ). How can we do this in relation to work?

Thanks everyone, its been great and hope to meet you all face-to-face at some point. Going to move now!

Hi Chris
I think there is a global issue around sedentary work and the longer term health impacts are more of a lever than advice from an ergonomist (I hope). The message we need to get out to people is that movement is important. Not sitting all day, or standing all day but moving. The UK legislation on display screen equipment states that individuals should take a screen break before the onset of discomfort and fatigue or every 45-55 minutes). We need to find ways to do this as part of our working time.

Hi Mark
That is a really good question and its clear in the health and safety legislation who has responsibility in the workplace. Who has personal responsibility, I suspect there is a need for a bigger debate around that. Organisations can help through health promotion activities but people have to buy-in to those. There is evidence that healthier workers are better for the business but where does organisational responsibility stop and individual responsibility take over. In the UK for example firefighters are assessed for fitness annually but police officers are not. That provides a lever, but do we want to go down that route for all jobs?

Hi Wendy
Thats a good question! When we are setting up work processes, think about the human in the work system and does it fit them both physically and psychologically. Most often I have been involved in trying to change systems after they have been set-up - much harder to do.

Hi Wendy
Agree, we are all getting heavier. Taking this from a hierarchy of control context can we eliminate the manual handling? If we can't what measures can be put in place. One solution in a Swedish hospital was the use of lifting aids. The argument was it took too long and the patients didn't like it. When it was explained to the patients why the lifting aids were needed, the patients were fine with this new method. Need to get everyone who is involved in the process.
There needs to be a change in the viewpoint about fit for purpose, however, we should be designing to fit everyone, not just the strongest. With demographic change we need to think about diversity in risk assessment. Absolutely agree - participation by those doing the jobs and tasks is critical in any change.

Hi Tony
I can't comment on NZ yet but in the UK there was a complete shift in how back pain was treated after a systematic review of treatments and outcomes. We used to be told to go lie down for 6 weeks. Now after initial assessment we are told to move if its mechanical back pain. There is also encouragement to get back to work and that you dont need to be 100% pain free to get back to work. However, there is a need to work with GPs, occupational physicians and ergonomists to reduce the workplace risk.

Hi Marion
I agree that work design is crucial. In Europe training is the most common intervention, although there is evidence that training for manual handling activities does not prevent back pain https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD005958.pub3/full

Hi Wendy
No, not just those factors listed. When you look at data to the workplace risk factors that people are exposed to for MSDs, in Europe and New Zealand, such as adopting poor posture, manual handling, repetitive work and sedentary work, exposures are not reducing. Although there has been sectoral change in employment, the risk factors are not reduced in most sectors in Europe.

Hi Chris
A good point and again its a gap between work and home. However, there is evidence to show that individuals with poor lifestyle behaviours are more at risk of MSDs (smoking, overweight and low levels of physical activity). We need to link up health promotion too. However, certain hobbies do put stress on your joints (decorating, gaming etc) perhaps we should be getting the message out about risk in the public health and home environment too.

Hi Hillary
https://www.aphirm.org.au/
The recently published report https://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/work-related-musculoskeletal-disorders-why-are-they-still-so-prevalent-evidence/view
The European Agency for Safety and Health are starting a new campaign in October on MSDs called "Lighten the load". This campaign will release a number of different research reports that were carried out in the past 3 years.

Hi Robyn
is job enlargement a possibility for these workers? Alternatively is there different cleaning equipment that could be sourced to take some of the pressure of the joints?

Hi Marion
I am sure the La Trobe team would be willing to talk and hopefully visit if we get a trans-Tasman bubble.