Risks and causes of musculoskeletal injuries among health care workers

Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) persist as the leading category of occupational injury in health care. Limited evidence exists regarding MSIs for occupations other than direct patient care providers. An evaluation of the risks, causes and activities associated with MSIs that includes non-patient care health care occupations is warranted.

To examine the risks and causes of time-loss MSIs for all occupations in health care.

Workers employed by a health region in British Columbia were followed from April 2007 to March 2008 using payroll data; injuries were followed using an incidence surveillance database. Frequency and rates were calculated for all occupational injuries and MSIs and relative risks (RRs) were computed using Poisson regression. Causes and occupational activities leading to MSIs were tabulated for direct care occupations and non-patient care occupations.

A total of 944 injuries resulting in time-loss from work were reported by 23 742 workers. Overall, 83% injuries were musculoskeletal. The two occupations showing highest RR of MSIs relative to registered nurses were facility support service workers [RR = 3.16 (2.38-4.18), respectively] and care aides [RR=3.76 (3.09-4.59)]. For direct patient care occupations, the leading causes of MSIs were awkward posture (25%) and force (23%); for non-patient care occupations were force (25%) and slip/fall (24%). Patient handling activities accounted for 60% of all MSIs for direct care occupations. For non-patient care occupations, 55% of MSIs were due to material/equipment handling activities.

Prevention efforts for MSIs should be directed to non-patient care occupations as well and consider their occupation-specific causes and activities.