Employee Assistance Programmes
Mental health problems are increasing among UK employees, and are a common cause of long-term and short-term sick leave.
Musculoskeletal Health
According to the Health and Safety Executive, there were 480,000 workers suffering with work-related musculoskeletal disorders in 2019/2020 and over 8.9 million working days lost due to these disorders.
The impact of poor musculoskeletal health
Musculoskeletal disorders or injuries (MSDs) can have a significant impact on an employee’s ability to do their job and are a major cause of workplace sickness and absence.
Protecting workers from the risks of MSDs being caused or made worse by their work is essential. Injuries can include conditions that affecting bones, joints, muscles and spine, and are a common cause of severe long-term pain and physical disability.
By adopting a proactive approach, we support our clients and their employees to maintain good musculoskeletal health.
How we help
At RPS, we work closely with our clients, providing them with the right information and clinical guidance required to make informed decisions on how to prevent musculoskeletal problems in the workplace.
We employ several approaches to support clients - from case management appointments with our clinical team - either face to face, online video consultations or via phone - who are experienced in recognising the signs of musculoskeletal health issues.
RPS offer a comprehensive range of range of musculoskeletal services to support our clients, including:
- Occupational health referral and advice
- Access to a national network of physiotherapists
- Services tailored to meet individual client and employee needs
- Services delivered at a clinic local to employees or on site(s) together with telephone and video consultations.
- Personalised rehabilitation and treatment plans to help get your employees back to health and back to work.
- Workstation and workplace assessments
- Practical and actionable recommendations
Causes of musculoskeletal disorders or injuries (MSDs)
The risk factors causing MSDs occur in many types of work, including
- Lifting heavy or bulky loads
- Pushing, pulling or dragging heavy loads
- Bending, crouching or stooping
- Stretching, twisting and reaching
- Sustained or excessive force
- Repetitive tasks, particularly using the same hand or arm action
- Carrying out a task for a long time
- Work with display screen equipment, such as PCs, laptops, tablets or smartphones
- Working with hand-held power tools for a long time
- Driving heavy vehicles, long-distance driving or driving over rough ground
Or the risk factors can be to do with the work environment or organisation
- Poor working environment (including lack of space, temperature and lighting)
- Poor work organisation (including workload, job demands and work breaks or lack of them)
Or they can be to do with individual workers
- A recent or existing injury may make you more vulnerable
- Individual differences (some workers are more affected by certain risks)
- Working beyond your capacity
- Working when physically tired
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