Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in NSW mines

This project was commissioned as part of a strategy by the NSW Mine Safety Advisory Council to reduce MSD in the mining industry. The mining industry includes extractive, underground and open cut sectors. The specific aims of the MSD mail survey in NSW were to: • Validate data already obtained from previous work • Gain understanding of how the mining industry can make improvements and solve problems • Identify enablers and barriers to the improvement of the prevention of MSD. The survey was sent to 971 mine sites. Frontline personnel were targeted. Non-responsive sites were followed up by phone. There was a return rate of 27%. Some respondents were interviewed to incorporate qualitative data into the results. Confidentiality was assured. Two thirds of the survey responses came from small mine sites (less than 20 employees) and respondents were mostly production managers, business owners and employed OHS officers. Front line personnel were not well represented. The key findings were that strains and sprains were most common followed by slips, trips and falls. Slips, trips and falls commonly occurred when descending from vehicles and equipment. The back was the most common site affected. Lifting and handling loads was the most common cause of injury. Rough rides were mentioned as a cause of injury. Most sites had occupational health and safety management systems however, under-reporting of hazards and injuries may be prevalent and consultation during the risk management process may require improvement.