HSE and MSDs
HSC/HSE have identified MSDs as a Priority because:
- you can do things to prevent or minimise MSDs
- they affect large numbers of people across most industries and occupations;
- they have the potential to ruin people's lives;
- and they impose heavy costs on employers and on society.
HSE's key messages about MSDs are:
- you can do things to prevent or minimise MSDs
- the prevention measures are cost effective
- you cannot prevent all MSDs, so early reporting of symptoms, proper treatment and suitable rehabilitation is essential.
Risk factors causing MSDs can be found in virtually every workplace from commerce to agriculture, health services to construction. An estimated 11.6 million working days a year are lost to work-related MSDs.
Areas that can create a risk include:
- repetitive and heavy lifting
- bending and twisting repeating an action too frequently
- uncomfortable working position
- exerting too much force
- working too long without breaks
- adverse working environment (e.g. hot, cold)
- psychosocial factors (e.g. high job demands, time pressures and lack of control)
- not receiving and acting upon reports of symptoms quick enough
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