Health and Safety Executive

Table THORM11

Work-related spine/back disorders: estimated number of cases reported by rheumatologists to MOSS and by occupational physicians to OPRA, by reported work activities - movements 2006-2008

Movements(a) Rheumatologists and Occupational Physicians(p) Rheumatologists (MOSS)(p) Occupational physicians (OPRA)(b)(p)
Annual average estimated cases(c) 2006-2008 % of total Annual average estimated cases(c) 2006-2008 % of total Annual average estimated cases(c) 2006-2008 % of total
Fine hand 64 5 36 12 29 3
Forceful upper limb/Grip 16 1 14 5 1 -
Torque upper limb - - - - - -
Lifting 223 18 63 21 160 17
Carrying 4 - 1 - 3 -
Pushing 9 1 1 - 8 1
Pulling 12 1 1 - 11 1
Forceful leg movement - - - - - -
Overhead work 2 - 2 1 - -
Materials handling n.e.s. 262 21 49 16 213 23
Bending 82 7 33 11 48 5
Sitting 54 4 9 3 46 5
Standing/walking 18 1 5 2 13 1
Kneeling 4 - - - 4 -
Twisting (postural) 30 2 9 3 21 2
Postural n.e.s. 156 13 33 11 123 13
Other 73 6 10 3 64 7
Missing 405 33 85 28 319 34
Total Individuals(d) 1237   305   932  

Notes:

  • (a) At least one task code and one movement code was given to each case. Figures are shown in light type if they are based on fewer than 10 actual cases.
  • (b) Comparisons based on OPRA reports are likely to be misleading because workers in some occupations are much more likely to have access to occupational physicians than those in others.
  • (c) Some physicians report on a sample basis, for one month in each year. Estimated totals for these are calculated by multiplying the actual number of cases reported by 12.
  • (d) Since more than one task or movement code can be given the total of individual tasks or movements can exceed the total number of cases.
  • "-" Means zero
  • n.e.s Not elsewhere specified
  • (p) Provisional

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Updated 10.09.09