Media Releases
OOS "Big Problem" Not Just in the Office
Friday 10 October 1997
Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) is responsible for many serious injuries in the meat, poultry and seafood processing industries, the Occupational Safety and Health Service of the Department of Labour (OSH) announced today.
"ACC figures show that in the 1994/5 year there were 259 new entitlement OOS claims in the meat processing industry alone," said OSH ergonomics consultant Frank Darby. "In the last year, there were 418 new claims."
OSH will today launch a package "Muscle Minding", specifically targeting these industries in an effort to help relieve the pain and suffering of workers and to highlight the responsibility of employers to provide safer and healthier working environments.
"It is a common misconception that OOS only affects the office worker, but this has never been the case. The food processing industry have always had the dubious distinction of higher rates of OOS than office work," Mr Darby said.
"The main causes of discomfort and pain are the repetitiveness of the work and those tasks that call for the exertion of strong muscle force with the hands often held in awkward positions and gripping poorly designed tools."
"Problems also arise with the way workers are organised, with time pressures and deadlines often increasing pressure on already over-tensed muscles," said Mr Darby. "The prevention package addresses these issues and promotes careful, detailed training.
"The intelligent application of these principles can lead to a "win-win" situation for employers as lower incidences of OOS would reduce their ACC levies and penalty payments," Mr Darby said.
The ACC Associate Minister, Deborah Morris, will speak at the launch of the "Muscle Minding" package in Wellington this afternoon. Mike Racz, World Champion oyster shucker will also demonstrate his skills.
