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May/June 2023 issue

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Young workers risking chronic conditions for portable devices

Open-access content Friday 25th May 2018
From the archive:  Just so you know, this article is more than 3 years old.

istock-653355740

At IOSH 2018, this year's leading safety and health conference, Katharine Metters will argue there is a culture where people don't worry about the damage they may be doing to themselves until they suffer from pain. Many also believe, she says, that therapy can undo such damage.

Katharine, of Posturite, said: "Picture the scene. You are on a bus or train looking around and the majority of people are heads down on their laptops, tablets or phones.

"How aware are these people of the damage they are potentially doing to themselves? Do they know they may be causing themselves years of suffering with a chronic condition later in life? Even if they did, would they change?

"I particularly worry about the younger generations. They may know the risks but they don't seem to worry about them, maybe as the effects won't manifest themselves until many years later and the draw of using the device is greater than their long-term health."

MSDs and other occupational health issues will be a key focus of IOSH 2018, the annual international conference organised by the IOSH, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

In 2016-17, 8.9 million working days were lost to work-related MSDs in the UK alone, demonstrating the huge loss it causes the economy as well as the impact it has on the lives of sufferers and their families.

Katharine believes that many businesses do recognise the issue, but potentially need to improve at driving the message through to employees and setting up the right culture.

She said: "People suffer pain and then we as a society pay thousands of pounds for treatment to deal with neck, back and other MSDs, but they won't put their technology down or make simple adjustments -- even if they are told this is the root cause of their condition.

"If they keep on sitting there, looking down, often gripping their device, they may well be on their way to further pain and a chronic condition when they're older. Essentially, most of us don't focus on these issues until it hurts and once it stops hurting we go back to what we did before.

"We need to establish workplace cultures where employees are not only made aware of the risks but encouraged -- I would go so far as expected -- to take action now, not when it is too late.

"All too often is seems we have cultures that look negatively on people who do the right things like taking the time to set up their work suitably and regularly stretching or moving during the day.

"Employees need to be empowered. Legislation around MSDs, which has been around for many decades in the UK now, can only get us so far. The world of work has changed, and will continue to do so, so we need to be to adapt.

"Now is the time to get a grip on this. We have to work together -- employers and employees -- and create a culture where people habitually looking after themselves is the norm.

"Most of us can make a start with one simple, small change -- stop looking down at those portable devices."

Katharine, who said there are strong links between MSDs and mental health issues, said new tools, including wearables, are available and these will be highlighted at the conference.

IOSH 2018 is being held at the ICC in Birmingham, UK, from 17-18 September. Book your place now and take advantage of our early bird discount.

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 Public venues must “understand ever-changing attack profile”

Tuesday 22nd May 2018
Garry Jones says doing so will avoid “ineffective, knee-jerk reactions”, adding that the public expect “a level of security commensurate with risk”.“Event organisers need to have a way of systematically reviewing the threat to their event and their vulnerability to the ever-changing attack profile,” said Garry, a member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health’s (IOSH) Sports Grounds and Events Group and co-founder of event security and crowd management consultancy Storm 4 Events.
Open-access content
Image credit: ©iStock/Taphouse_Studios

 Notice of IOSH Special General Meeting

Friday 4th May 2018
At its meeting in February 2018, the IOSH Council agreed some important changes to IOSH’s governance arrangements. Proposed changes include amendments to the structure of IOSH’s Board of Trustees’ committees and other arrangements, and so will require changes to the byelaws. As per IOSH’s governance arrangements, these changes can only be implemented if approval is given at a SGM and then by the Privy Council.
Open-access content

 Cathy Newman returns to chair IOSH 2018

Tuesday 24th April 2018
After excellent feedback from delegates at last year’s conference, the respected journalist and TV presenter will chair IOSH 2018.Cathy has fronted many TV documentaries and hosted GMTV’s The Sunday Programme. She has also written for The Daily Telegraph and served as Chief Political Correspondent for the Financial Times.  The event is being held from 17-18 September at the ICC in Birmingham, UK, on the theme ‘Shape a new world of work’.
Open-access content

 Join IOSH Council and develop yourself and your Institution

Monday 26th March 2018
How about a “positive networking experience”?If so, joining IOSH’s Council may just be the ideal next step for you.Nominations for the 2018 elections open today. IOSH is seeking 12 members who are committed to the health and safety profession and have a desire to play a key role in the next three years as the Institution continues to deliver its WORK 2022 strategy.
Open-access content

 Dame Judith Hackitt to share review findings at IOSH 2018

Tuesday 31st July 2018
The findings, published in May, included key recommendations such as having clearer relevant regulation, guidance and enforcement and improved fire-safety competence for all involved.At the conference in Birmingham, Dame Judith hopes to engage delegates on how a “culture change” can happen in the construction industry which will ensure people feel safe – and are safe – in their homes.
Open-access content

 “Landmark day” as ISO 45001 launched

Monday 12th March 2018
With 2.78 million people being killed worldwide each year by work-related injury or ill health, the new global standard can encourage “much-needed solutions”, according to the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).Organisations which adopt the standard – which has been four-and-a-half years in the making – will be required to have proportionate safety and health management systems which prevent injury and ill health among their workforce and throughout their supply chains.
Open-access content
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