Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders ( MSDs) among Farmers in Ireland - Webinar
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a serious cause for concern for farmers. Research found that 57% of farmers lost full time workdays, with over 22% losing 15 days or more. Join the webinar on Thursday, 29th October to get advice and information on prevention of MSDs
A public Webinar (Zoom) on Preventing MSDs among Farmers in Ireland will take place on Thursday, 29th October from 11.00 am to 12.30pm. All farmers are invited to attend.
The webinar is part of a campaign by European Union Occupational Safety and Health Agency (EU-OSHA) to 'Lighten the Load’ and cut musculoskeletal injury levels. Altering workplaces and cutting loads are key approaches to reduce MSDs supported by using safe lifting techniques. These approaches have the potential to reduce work related levels of lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying and cut musculoskeletal injury levels.
Body parts affected include the back and spine (37%), neck and shoulder (25%), hip and lower limbs (26%) and hand, wrist, spine (10%).
Speakers:
- Dr Aoife Osborne, Researcher on MSDs will present on ‘Prevalence and consequences of MSD’s among farmers in Ireland’.
- Mr Frank Power, H.S.A. Inspector and Ergonomist will address ‘Techniques for Assessing Risk of MSDs’.
- Dr John McNamara, Teagasc Health and Safety Specialist and MH Instructor will outline practical strategies for ‘Preventing MSDs in Farming’.
- Dr Noel Richardson, Director, Centre for Men’s Health, IT Carlow and Physical Education Instructor will describe ways to ‘Prevent MSDs through Health and Exercise approaches’.
The webinar will be jointly chaired by Mr Pat Griffin, Senior Inspector, H.S.A. and Mr Francis Bligh Teagasc and will include a Question and Answer Session.
Research by Dr Aoife Osborne with Teagasc and UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sport Science has established that 56% of farmers in Ireland annually suffered an MSD injury; making it the most frequently suffered occupational ill health cause.