Policy case study. United Kingdom. The ‘Helping Great Britain Work Well’ strategy and tackling MSDs.

there are indications, based on national data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Labour Force Survey, of a gradual reduction in the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the United Kingdom over a period of more than 15 years. The legislative framework in the United Kingdom addressing MSDs has been in place for much longer, extending back to 1993 when the first six EU occupational safety and health (OSH) directives (1) (referred to colloquially as ‘the six-pack’) from in 1989 and 1990 were transposed. The UK legislation essentially reflects the provisions set out in those EU OSH directives. Thus, in addition non-specific general provisions mirroring Directive 89/391/EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (the Framework Directive), there are specific regulations aimed at preventing MSDs related to manual handling and display screen equipment (DSE).Against this background, the policy approach adopted in the United Kingdom is one of enabling and informing, encouraging employers to take action and address risks, rather than the more prescriptive approach adopted in many other EU countries. This approach is reflected in a series of policy initiatives and actions; the ‘Helping Great Britain work well’ strategy is the latest demonstrating this approach in a series of strategies, programmes and campaigns dating back more than 20 years.A major element of the implementation of this ‘Helping Great Britain work well’ strategy is formed of three Health Priority Plans (sometimes referred to collectively as the ‘Health and Work Programme’), one of which is on MSD prevention. However, MSDs are addressed not just through specific activities under the MSDs Priority Plan but also through other activities undertaken as part of the broader approach embodied in the in the sector-specific plans developed as part of the strategy ‘Helping Great Britain work well’. This integrated approach recognises the importance of not compartmentalising MSD risks as a single focus. Therefore, as well as MSDs being the subject of a specific plan, they can also be addressed by activities within the sector- specific plans and through initiatives introduced as part of the overall strategy. For example, employers making commitments under the strategy ‘Helping Great Britain work well’ may specify addressing MSD risks (as well as other health and safety issues) as something they commit to.The MSD Priority Plan has a series of stated outcomes and priorities that encompass improvements in preventing and controlling exposure to MSDs; a shift in emphasis towards risk elimination/reduction through design; a higher regulatory profile; research and development of new thinking on the risks posed by new, flexible ways of working; and cross-industry learning about ‘what works’.Because it is an ongoing initiative, it is too soon for any detailed evaluation of the “Helping Great Britain work well” strategy or, more specifically, the accompanying priority plan on MSDs. Nevertheless, there are early promising signs, including of results achieved by reaching out to stakeholders through a series of engagement actions. Importantly, the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) internal evaluation team has a structured plan
in place for the evaluation of the strategy.