Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) in Great Britain (GB)

Summary

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) can affect muscles, joints and tendons in all parts of the body. Most work-related MSDs develop over time and can also result from fractures sustained in an accident.

The latest estimates from the Labour Force Survey show that in Great Britain:

• There has generally been a downward trend in the total number of work-related MSDs since 2001/02.
• The total number of MSD cases in 2011/12 was 439 000 out of a total 1 073 000 for all work-related illnesses. 
• The number of new cases of MSDs in Great Britain in 2011/12 was 141 000, down from 158 000 in 2010/11. 
• The industries with the highest rates of total cases of MSDs were post and courier activities, agriculture and specialised construction activities
• Building trades and skilled agriculture trades had higher rates of MSDs compared to the average across all occupations.
• The main work activities attributed by respondents as causing their musculoskeletal disorder, or making it worse, was manual handling, awkward or tiring positions and keyboard work.

Figure 1: Rates for total cases and new cases of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in GB