4.2.4. Body Stressing and Occupations
Exposure to WMSD hazards varies considerably between occupational groups. Preliminary data for 2003 (see Figure 6) indicates that the group recording the highest number of cases involving Body stressing was Labourers and related workers. This is followed by Tradespersons and related workers and Intermediate production and transport workers. The lowest number of cases are reported by
Advanced clerical and service workers. Examination of claim percentages reveals an interesting trend. For all occupational groups, body stressing comprised the largest percentage of mechanism of injury or disease, varying from 32 % to 44.2 % of claims for each occupational group. Although the number of cases for Advanced clerical and service workers were low, bodystressing claims comprised 41 % of all claims by this occupation in 2003.29Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in AustraliaThe highest percentage of body stressing claims were attributed tomuscular stress while lifting, carrying or putting down objects (47.8%), with labourers and related workers accounting for the highest percentage of body stressing claims with this mechanism.
Figure 6. Number of body stressing claims by occupation and
mechanism (1998-2003)