There are multitude of hazards and health risks associated with the workplace and working conditions, usually discussed in terms of risk and external factors such as dangerous materials and the maintenance of equipment. However, there are a number of unseen health issues that can affect a large proportion of the working population on a daily basis.
One such example is work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders, or WRMSD’s. More broadly speaking, Musculoskeletal Disorders are a group of medical complaints that relate to muscles, tendons, and nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, and tension neck syndrome are the most closely related disorders. Where WRMSD’s are concerned, these can be broken down into specific regions of the body, namely the back, lower and upper limbs.
In the UK, throughout 2016/17 alone, 507,000 workers suffered from WRMSD’s whether newly diagnosed or via long-standing issues, according to Health & Safety Executive figures. To put this in starker contrast, 8.9 million working days across the same period, were lost due to the nature of these conditions. Predominantly, the worst affected area related to the upper limbs and neck at 45% of the overall figure, with back problems contributing the second highest proportion at 38% and lower limb disorders coming in at 17%.
WRMSD’s can develop over time based on occupational tasks which form a large part of an employees’ daily working activities. These can include fixed or constrained body positions, repetition of movements, a concentrated force on small areas of the body such as the hands or wrist and a pace of work that doesn’t allow for adequate recovery. Similarly, a number of psychosocial factors can contribute to or create similar symptoms, including organisational culture, the health and safety climate and human conditions. The hardest hit industries in relation to WRMSD’s are Construction, Agriculture (including Forestry & Fishing), Transportation & Storage and Human Health/Social Work.
In order to combat this, a large amount of research has been conducted in relation to products and equipment that can serve to negate and reduce the instances and causes of MSD’s in the workplace. Ejendals, a Swedish company specialising in the development and manufacture of high-quality products serving to protect both hands and feet, uses pioneering technology to inform workers of potential health risks. The FootStop Service scanner, part of Ejendals’ Jalas range, utilises pressure mapping in order to prevent injuries that may occur if the individual’s foot is loading the wrong way, therefore providing an essential means of preventative healthcare.
Footstop makes the analysis of your feet quick and simple. Without even having to take your socks off, the scanner records the measurements of your feet, the arch and the pressure load points, in just a few seconds. The results of the scan are produced immediately and provide vital information such as where your feet are under load as well as whether you have a low, medium or high arch. Following this, trained staff can recommend and help you try on the right shoes and most importantly, the correct Jalas insoles, now boasting double shock absorbing technology, that have been tested specifically for your feet.
Greenham are delighted to work in association with Ejendals, and their high-quality products and services can be accessed from all Greenham service centres nationwide. Please visit https://www.greenham.com/storelist to find your nearest location.
