Musculoskeletal disorders

Work related musculoskeletal disorders are the most common occupational illness.

It is estimated that 1.2 million in Great Britain suffer from work related musculo-skeletal disorders, with 9.9 million working days lost as a result of such disorders.

What are musculo-skeletal disorders?

Musculo-skeletal disorders are problems affecting the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, soft tissues or joints. Conditions include low back pain, tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Conditions may arise due to repetitive and heavy lifting, bending and twisting, repeating an action too frequently, uncomfortable working position, hot/cold working environments etc

What should an employer do to prevent/minimise musculo-skeletal disorders?

An employer has a duty under health and safety legislation to ensure employees are not made ill due to work. Employers will need to look and assess the activities undertaken by staff, ensuring that controls are in place to minimise the risk of injury from work activities. Specific Regulations focus on different issues, including:

Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

The employer is required by these Regulations to attempt to remove the need for manual handling activities by considering alternative ways of working, for example by mechanical/automatic means.

Where this is not practicable, assess the risk of injury from manual handling and identify ways in which the work may be undertaken easier, without risk and be less physically demanding.

Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992

Employers are required by these Regulations to ensure any regular user of Display Screen Equipment has  a suitable and sufficient analysis of their workstation undertaken. Daily work tasks should be planned, to include adequate and sufficient breaks or changes in activity. 

Complaints and enquiries

To make a complaint or enquiry online please use the online e-form.

Further information about the Food and Environmental Safety service and other contact details can be found on our Standards of Service page.