Employers must have a safe system of work in place to protect workers from the risks of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) being caused or made worse by their work. MSDs include injuries and conditions that can affect different parts of the body like the back, joints, and limbs.
As an employer you can put in place preventative measures or reduce the risk to your workers (and others who may be affected by their actions and the tasks they complete) from developing MSDs.
You cannot prevent all MSDs, so early reporting of symptoms, proper treatment and suitable rehabilitation are essential.
The parts of the human body that are most likely to be affected by muscular skeletal disorders are:
- the lower back
- the main core components: shoulders, forearms, wrists and hands, and neck
- the hips, legs, knees, ankles, and feet
It has been shown that workers may suffer with a range of different kinds of MSDs at the same time, compounding the condition.
Managing the risk
If the risk of employees suffering from the condition exists, then you as an employer/manager must consider both the requirements for a general risk assessment of their working environment and a more detailed specific risk assessments of all other associated risks, for example, from:
- manual handling
- repetitive work and awkward postures
- the health risks of working with display screen equipment (DSEs) such as PCs, laptops, tablets, and smart phones
- exposure to vibration, for example from driving mobile machinery over rough ground or using powered hand-held tools
- poor work organisation (including work pressure, job demands and lack of work breaks). Stress and other psychosocial factors can contribute to the risk of developing muscular skeletal disorders
Talk to your employees
You must consult with your workers or their elected representatives on health and safety issues. They know what they find difficult and often know how to improve things. Talking to them about how to improve health and safety will also make it easier to agree changes. Workers will be more likely to follow procedures they have helped design.
Make sure your employees know how to report any injuries or work-related health problems to you or their health and safety representative if applicable. People who have suffered with MSDs usually have a good recovery prognosis if the problem is recognised early and treated appropriately by qualified health care professionals.
The Law
Employers and workers both have responsibilities – the regulations that apply to the conditions and prevention strategies are listed below:
- The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1998
- The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
- Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
- The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
- The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
Find out more at: Managing musculoskeletal disorders risk at work – HSE
