1. Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Date / Venue or Location

2. What is the issue?
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are conditions that affect the nerves, tendons, muscles and supporting structures, such as the discs in your back
They result from one or more of these tissues having to work harder than they are designed for
The symptoms of MSDs differ in severity – from mild and periodic, to severe, chronic and debilitating
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, bones, and joints. Your risk of developing one increases with age. But by taking care of your body, you can lower your risk. MSDs include:
Tendinitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis 02

3. What is the issue?
An estimated 553,000 workers in 2014/15 suffered from musculoskeletal disorders caused or made worse by their current or past work. Approximately 223,000 of these workers suffered from bad back, approximately 233,000 from problems related to upper limbs and neck and approximately 97,000 with lower limb problems.
An estimated 9.5 million working days were lost in 2014/15 through work-related musculoskeletal disorders that were caused or made worse by work.
On average, each person suffering took an estimated 17 days off in 2014/15.  01

4. Work-related MSDs
When MSDs are caused or made worse by the work environment, they’re called work-related MSDs (WRMSDs)
MSDs can affect any part of the body, but two important areas in terms of work are:
the back
the upper limbs
They can affect any major area of your musculoskeletal system, including the following:
neck
shoulders
wrists
back
hips
legs
knees
feet 03

5. The back This is the most common MSD. Symptoms of back pain
The symptom of low back pain is a pain or ache anywhere on the back, in between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the legs.
The majority of cases of back pain usually clear up quite quickly. However, if you are worried or concerned about back pain, seek medical advice. 04

6. Symptoms of upper limb disorders
Pain is the most common symptom. Sometimes the sufferer also has joint stiffness, muscle tightness, redness and swelling of the affected area. Some people experience ‘pins and needles’, numbness, skin colour changes, and decreased sweating of the hands.
WRMSDs may progress in stages from mild to severe.
Symptoms of MSDs can include:
recurrent pain
stiff joints
swelling
dull aches 05

7. Stages of upper limb disorders
Early stage
Aching and tiredness of the affected limb occur during the work shift but disappear at night and during days off work. No reduction of work performance.
Intermediate stage
Aching and tiredness occur early in the work shift and persist at night. May also have reduced capacity for repetitive work. 06

8. Stages of upper limb disorders
Late stage
Aching, fatigue and weakness persist at rest. Inability to sleep and to perform light duties.
Not everyone goes through these stages in the same way. In fact, it may be difficult to say exactly when one stage ends and the next begins. The first pain is a signal that the muscles and tendons should rest and recover. As soon as people recognise that they have a symptom, they should immediately do something about it.
Recognising symptoms early can help a quick, effective response. 07

9. Risk factors
Various risk factors are thought to be associated with MSDs, including:
repetitive and/or heavy lifting
bending and twisting
repeating an action too frequently
uncomfortable working position
exerting too much force
working too long without break
adverse working environment (e.g. hot or cold)
psychosocial factors (e.g. high job demands, time pressures and lack of control)
not receiving and acting on reports of symptoms quickly enough
It’s good for people to use their bodies at work, so don’t think that working means harm. However, in some instances people can overload their musculoskeletal system at work, without any symptoms being evident in the early stages. This could be from sitting for too long or from doing what might traditionally be thought of as ‘heavy’ jobs.
Therefore, it’s important to carry out risk assessments across the work site and to identify any possible musculoskeletal hazards to which the workforce is being exposed to prevent any cases occurring. 08

10. What is the issue in Farrans?
Within our organisation we undertake many activities which can cause MSDs whether it be in the office or on a construction site.
This can be the lifting of loads (e.g. a bag of cement or boxes of paper), using Display Screen Equipment or operating plant & equipment.
Certain activities can cause wear and tear on your musculoskeletal system, leading to MSDs. These include:
sitting in the same position at a computer every day
engaging in repetitive motions
lifting heavy weights
maintaining poor posture at work 09

11. Why should we deal with MSDs?
Legal – our responsibility under health and safety law.
Moral – our obligation as a good employer
Financial – dealing with MSDs at work should reduce sickness absence levels. 10

12. What are our responsibilities?
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (NI Order 1978) requires employers to secure the health, safety and welfare of employees at work.
This includes providing a safe place of work, safe systems of work, and information and training.
The Management Regulations 1999 require suitable and sufficient assessments of health and safety risks at work to be carried out.
This includes assessing, eliminating and controlling the risks to the musculoskeletal system. 11

13. What are our responsibilities?
The first step is to assess all the MSD risks that our tasks generate. Next, we must try to eliminate as many of them as possible by redesigning the tasks or providing mechanical aids.
The appropriate control measures will depend on the sort of work we are carrying out and what it is ‘reasonably practicable’ for us to do.
Risk assessments for MSD risks could be manual handling risk assessments, display screen equipment risk assessments, general ergonomics assessments or, specifically, upper limb disorder risk assessments. 12

14. What are our responsibilities?
When considering these precautionary measures it is important that you, the employee are consulted as you often have first-hand knowledge of the risks associated with a specific task or tasks.
Once the precautionary measures have been introduced their effectiveness must be monitored and we must ensure that no new risks have been introduced.
As with any health and safety issue, assessment isn’t enough – it should be followed by action. 13

15. Further Information 14

16. Any Questions?

17. Thank You