Musculoskeletal Disorders

What are Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)?

MSDs are conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system.  The term MSDs covers any injury, damage or disorder of the joints, muscles, tendons, nerves or other tissues in the upper limbs (e.g. neck, shoulders and/or arms), lower limbs (e.g. hips, knees, ankles and/or feet) and/or the back. They generally arise out of physical activities that individuals carry out. Whilst they are not exclusively linked to work-related activities, pre-existing conditions may be exacerbated at work.

How do MSDs develop?

Work-related MSDs can develop in an occupational setting due to the physical tasks with which individuals carry out as part of their normal work activities and may also result from injury sustained in a work-related accident.  MSDs tend to develop over a period of time with a cumulative effect, often progressing from mild to more severe conditions.

Whilst workers in all industries and in all sizes of business are at risk of work-related MSDs, a higher incident rate can be linked to:

  • agriculture, forestry and fishing.
  • logistics and transport.
  • Construction.
  • health and social care sectors.

Often workers in these industries carry out a wide range of manual handling tasks.

What are the Symptoms of MSDs?

Symptoms may include:

  • Pain.
  • Discomfort.
  • Tingling in the affected area.

MSDs can be life changing and may have serious implications for an individual’s health and quality of life.

 

Key messages about Work-Related MSDs:

  • Employers and employees can take simple precautions to prevent or minimise work-related MSDs.
  • Prevention measures can be cost effective.
  • Early reporting of MSD related symptoms, proper treatment, and suitable rehabilitation is essential.

Risk Factors for Work-Related MSDs:

Physical risk factors for developing work-related MSDs can be associated with work activities which involve:

  • Manual handling.
  • Repetitive tasks or movements.
  • Poorly designed tasks that require fixed or constrained body positions.
  • Force concentrated on one part of the body, e.g. the hand or wrist.
  • A high pace of work with limited rest between tasks.
  • Exposure to vibration.
  • Work which is machine or system paced.

Based on the Labour Force Survey (LFS) data, manual handling, awkward or tiring positions and keyboard work or repetitive action, were estimated to be the top 3 causes of work-related MSDs prior to the pandemic.

Psychosocial risk factors, i.e. matters which may affect workers' psychological response to their work and workplace conditions, also need to be considered. Examples include;

  • High workloads.
  • Tight deadlines.
  • Lack of control of the work and working methods.
  • Employees being unable to fully utilise their skills.
  • Employees not being involved in decision making which affects them.
  • Perception of excessive work demands.
  • Pay based on completed work resulting in working without adequate breaks or hastily.

Stress-related body changes or behavioural changes can make people more susceptible to musculoskeletal problems, for example, workers may experience increased muscle tension or carry out work activities without sufficient rest breaks to meet strict deadlines.

Additionally stress, organisational culture, the health and safety climate and individual characteristics may create the conditions for work-related MSDs to occur.

Generally, none of these factors act separately to cause work-related MSDs. Therefore, all factors should be considered together in preventing work-related MSDs. Effective measures to control the risk of work-related MSDs across all industries needs to be proactively considered by employers and the self-employed.

The way to reduce work-related MSD risks, giving the greatest benefit, is by using an ergonomic approach to identify both the physical and psychosocial factors to be controlled within the workplace. This approach will enable employers to look at achieving the best “fit” between the work, the working environment, and the needs and capabilities of workers.

Common Failings in the Management of Work-Related MSDs:

Common failings include:

  • Insufficient risk assessment of work activities.
  • Inadequate safe systems of work.
  • Mechanical aids not provided or appropriately maintained.
  • Lack of suitable training provision.
  • Deficient supervision of work activities.

Why Preventing & Managing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders is Good for Business

Risk factors causing work-related MSDs can be found in virtually every workplace.

Preventing and managing discomfort, pain and injury caused by work-related MSDs not only protects the workforce but it makes good business sense, for example:

  • Reduced absenteeism means lower costs of hiring or training replacement staff.
  • Not having to deal with the impact of employee ill-health and loss of experienced staff means increased productivity.
  • Employers may also benefit from reduced insurance costs where MSDs can be prevented.

Key Actions to Reduce the Risk of MSDs in the Workplace:

  • Develop a policy on the prevention and management of MSDs in the workplace.
  • Thoroughly risk assess work activities and implement suitable safe systems of work.
  • Provide sufficient instruction, information and training to workers which is reflective of the tasks.
  • Appropriately investigate all incidents and reports of symptoms and/or injury.
  • Injury management (worker retention, rehabilitation and return to work).
  • Effective internal auditing.

The implementation of policies in relation to manual handling, display screen equipment (DSE) and work activities with increased risk of upper limb disorders (ULDs) should make clear the roles and responsibilities within the organisation.

Whilst some workers may wish to ‘push through’, further investigation and medical treatment should always be considered when a worker is displaying any symptoms and/or signs of injury associated with MSDs.  Continuing to work may result in longer-term damage. If you are in any doubt, you should seek medical advice.

It’s also worth remembering that eating a well-balanced diet, and keeping fit and active, will not only prove beneficial to your musculoskeletal system but it is important for your general health and well-being.

Key Legislation

Please note that these links are to the original legislation, visitors should verify for themselves whether legislation is in force or whether it has been amended or repealed by subsequent legislation.

Resources