Case studies
The case studies in this section highlight key factors needed to tackle MSD and offers controls of MSD risks.
The incidence of MSDs can be considerably reduced by interventions incorporating all of the following elements:
- senior management commitment;
- worker involvement;
- risk assessment;
- control measures;
- training; and
- medical management.
Frequently asked questions contains additional information on MSDs and supporting guidance.
Better Backs case studies
December 2006
- Lifting aids eliminate manual handling in a press shop
- In-house physiotherapy saves money and reduces time off work
- Lifting and transport aids eliminate manual handling
October 2006
- Use of helicopter to reduce manual handling of stones
- Automating the manual packing of boxes
- More efficient handling in cosmetics production
- Better organisation cuts risk in outdoor maintenance work
- Reducing MSDs in keyboard users
- Storing heavy loads at waist height
- Simple improvements to make loading easier
- Changing the height of a conveyor belt cuts sickness absence
- Training in work flow analysis reduces risk of back pain
September 2006
- A special FLT attachment for moving unusual barrels
- Functional restoration programme brings staff back to work
- Motorised tugs reduce manual handling of aircraft steps
- A positive result from Backs! 2005
- Low cost engineering solutions eliminate poor manual handling practices
- Use of motorised tugs solves push/pull problem
- Reducing risks without compromising safety and security standards
- A graded return to work programme
- Specialised barrow increases turnover and reduces manual handling
General case studies
Below are some practical examples of how organisations have tackled MSDs in the workplace. If you have similar examples that could be included you can submit them via the feedback form.
- Individual personal experience – Manual handling in a care HSE
- Work re-organisation – Computer use in news media organisation
- Prevention - Upper limb disorders in a factory environment
- Rehabilitation – Upper limb disorders in an office environment
- Managing Sickness Absence – Musculoskeletal disorders case management
There are several useful case studies on MSDs on the Securing Health Together website.
Sector specific case studies
For further examples of tackling sector specific musculoskeletal disorders visit the following sector websites
/ Arabic
/ Bengali
/ Chinese
/ Farsi
/ Gujarati
/ Hindi
/ Kurdish
/ Pashto
/ Punjabi
/ Tamil
/ Urdu