Health and safety catalogue CANS/RSI

The seven umcs in the Netherlands, together with employee organizations, have developed an occupational health and safety catalog. This catalog outlines measures for addressing the main occupational health risks in umcs, including physical strain. The goal is to ensure safe and healthy working conditions. The catalog serves as a practical interpretation of the general occupational health regulations set by the government.

Below, starting with ‘The Risk’ you will find the full text of the section on Physical Strain from the occupational health and safety catalog.

Physical strain affecting the arms, neck, shoulders, and upper musculoskeletal system is caused by working in a tense posture for extended periods, performing repetitive tasks, or when there is an imbalance between workload and physical capacity. Excessive and prolonged exertion of force is also considered a high-risk activity. Additionally, high work pressure and stress can lead to behaviors that contribute to overuse of the arms, neck, and shoulders. Other contributing risk factors include insufficient or no recovery time, lack of social support, production pressure, and overtime.

Screen work often receives attention as a cause of health complaints, but it is not the only source. Risky tasks and conditions are present in many job roles. Complaints can also arise at home, for example, from prolonged use of a computer or other devices, or from playing a musical instrument.

Health complaints typically involve recurring or persistent pain, tingling, numbness, and/or stiffness. These symptoms occur in the neck, upper back, shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, and/or hands. Such complaints can make it difficult or even impossible to perform certain tasks or activities, potentially leading to reduced productivity or absenteeism.

The umcs distinguish the following risk groups for RSI complaints:

• VDU workers
• laboratory staff
• facility services workers
• paramedics and other support departments

General

The employer shall ensure that workers are effectively informed of the risks involved in the work and of the measures taken to prevent them. The employer shall ensure compliance with the instructions and regulations aimed at preventing or limiting the risks.

In the case of physical strain, it is important (or essential) to pay attention to safe and healthy working, by:

• organizing work well
• the safe organisation of the workplace
• using healthy production and working methods
• the use of aids and personal protective equipment

When setting up the workplaces, use the ergonomic principles:

• The layout of the workplaces, the working methods, the equipment and the work content are adapted to the personal characteristics of the employee.
• Monotonous and tempo-bound work is avoided or limited.

In the risk inventory and evaluation, attention is paid to dangers to the eyes and the physical and psychological strain when working at a computer screen. Effective measures shall be taken where necessary.

Regular exercise is encouraged, with the guideline 'walking two to three times an hour for two to three minutes' being advised.

The obligations mentioned also apply to working independently of time and place, such as working from home.

This description is based on Articles 3 and 8 of the Working Conditions Act and Article 5 of the Working Conditions Decree.

The umcs endorse the need for ergonomic workplace design and work organisation and an approach at the source to prevent or reduce occupational risks. Where stressful work occurs, the umcs improve working conditions with reason according to this principle. They also make a package of facilities (such as aids and learning resources, break software) available to minimize the risk of health problems.

Through instruction, information and the support of a prevention officer such as an ergo coach, all employees are motivated to behave in a way that prevents unnecessary strain during the work situation and that improves stressful situations.

Managers take the initiative for an active policy aimed at prevention. They initiate improvements by drawing up a clear plan, regularly testing whether there are bottlenecks, taking measures and evaluating whether the policy is effective.

Employees share in the responsibility for a healthy and pleasant working environment by striving for healthy working behaviour. They follow training courses and accept the measures taken within the workplace.

VDU workers are also supported with break software in learning and maintaining a healthy working pattern by alternating posture.

The most important measures and resources to achieve the ambitions and legal target requirements are:

Target rules

In addition to the legal target regulations, the NFU does not add any health-based target requirements for static load and RSI prevention.

Process rules

The RSI prevention program is a permanent part of occupational health and safety care in every umc. This prevention programme contains at least the following components:

• All departments with activities that have stressful factors have a prevention officer, for example an ergo coach.
• All umcs make (preventive) guidelines available for the use of aids (such as furniture, break software, computer glasses, etc.).
• All employees, whose work has stressful factors that can lead to health problems, are advised to receive instructions so that they develop skills for healthy working behaviour.

Means regulations

• The workplace and the work equipment meet criteria in the field of ergonomics. Special points of attention are:
  • Work above shoulder height and below hip height is avoided as much as possible.
  • When purchasing or producing software, the choice is made in such a way that it is possible to switch between mouse and keyboard in use.
• Tools are available to encourage favorable working postures.
  • An (adjustable) aid is needed to prevent bending over. Examples are: (electrically) adjustable furniture, adjustable monitor, document holder, footrest and laptop stand. Replacing reading glasses with screen glasses is often necessary for long-term screen work.
  • If the employee regularly has to stand for more than four minutes during the operation, a standing/sitting support is recommended, for example.
  • When statically demanding actions are regularly performed for more than four minutes with some force, these actions are mechanized, if this is technically possible.
• If the above solutions are not yet possible for medical or technical reasons, other solutions are being worked on. For example:
  • Dividing stressful work over time; Microbreaks can also help with static load.
  • Distribution of stressful work among more employees.
  • Educating and instructing employees to limit the load (way of standing, posture, etc.).

Good practices

Work style

• In the composition of the work tasks, attention is paid to a healthy working style of the employee.
• In the contact (work meetings, annual appraisals, etc.) between managers and employees, attention is paid to a healthy working style.

Information and instruction

• All new employees, whose work has stressful factors that can lead to health problems, will receive information and instruction during the initial period to get a feel for the preventive measures advocated by the work unit.
• Umcs inform employees as well as possible about RSI and prevention, including via intranet. Locally installed means of communication are exchanged between the umcs as needed.
• Umcs are constantly striving to reduce occupational risks, which is why they regularly exchange innovations. Particular attention is paid to preventive measures.

• Easy FWD, pause software