Keeping the lid on Occupational Overuse Syndrome

Occupational Health & Safety Resource Kit.
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as long as the task requires. The contracted muscles squeeze the blood vessels, which restricts the flow of blood all the way down to the working muscles of the hand. As a result, the neck and shoulder muscles become overtired even though there is little or no movement. At the same time, the reduced blood supply to the rest of the arm accelerates fatigue in the muscles that are moving, making them more prone to injury.

Other risk factors that arise from poorly organised work systems and processes include:

unpredictable workflows and inability to control the volume of work.
urgent deadlines which may require long shifts or overtime to meet.
lack of training and no period of adjustment for employees returning from a period of absence.

How can OOS be prevented?
Employers have a legal responsibility to provide a safe and healthy workplace for employees. This includes:

providing appropriate equipment and workstations for the job, such as ergonomically designed, adjustable furniture, chairs, desks and computers
ensuring that the work area is arranged so that materials, equipment and controls can be easily reached without stretching or twisting
providing training and information to employees about safe working practices, for example correct work methods and postures and the correct use of tools, machinery and other equipment
ensuring that equipment is regularly maintained and replaced as needed and that new equipment is assessed on health and safety grounds before purchase
workers should be consulted on job design and organization: where workers suspect a health and safety risk exists, the local OH&S committee or representative can assess the problem or request external advice
working positions should be changed frequently
work should be organised to mix repetitive and non-repetitive tasks

where a job cannot be varied or rotated, frequent, short rest breaks should be introduced; ten to fifteen minutes every hour is generally suggested, which may be broken up into half of this time every half-hour; simple and gentle
work rates should be reviewed and set after consultation with employers and workers, including OH&S committees, to ensure that they are realistic and within a worker's capabilities
exercises and stretches performed at the workstation can also be used to reduce muscle tension
work rates should be reviewed and set after consultation with employers and workers, including OH&S committees, to ensure that they are realistic and within a worker's capabilities; the use of piece rate systems of payment should be discouraged, as should machine-paced work or excessive pressure by supervisors to raise the level of production
workers should be allowed an adjustment period when they return to work after an absence for holidays or illness to allow for a gradual return to a regular work pace; this could be achieved by a slower work rate, more frequent breaks or job rotation.

With occupational overuse syndrome, early reporting is essential in order to identify and treat the condition while it is still reversible. There is a very clear connection with early reporting of symptoms. Do not ignore physical discomfort - report any symptoms of OOS to management and to health and safety representatives.

The treatment
The basic treatment for OOS is rest from aggravating factors including work, household duties and other formal tasks. Other treatments may help by relieving symptoms, but should be stopped if the condition worsens.

Some common treatments are: physiotherapy, vibration, massage, application of heat and cold, acupuncture and manipulative therapies; anti-inflammatory and painkilling tablets; pain management therapies, hydrotherapy, and surgery.