Health and Safety Executive

Table THORM15

All work-related musculoskeletal 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 532 12 306 18 225 13
Forceful upper limb/Grip 613 14 314 19 299 18
Torque upper limb 11 - 11 1 1 -
Lifting 444 10 192 11 252 15
Carrying 47 1 27 2 20 1
Pushing 47 1 24 1 23 1
Pulling 60 1 36 2 25 1
Forceful leg movement 13 - 12 1 0 -
Overhead work 13 - 3 - 11 1
Materials handling n.e.s. 1064 25 396 24 668 40
Bending 87 2 37 2 50 3
Sitting 63 1 17 1 46 3
Standing/walking 73 2 31 2 42 3
Kneeling 25 1 11 1 13 1
Twisting (postural) 47 1 13 1 34 2
Postural n.e.s. 335 8 54 3 281 17
Other 620 14 91 5 529 32
Missing 1077 25 363 22 714 43
Total Individuals(d) 4335   1675   2660  

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