Workers can be exposed to risks that may lead to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). Below we explain what MSDs are, what factors increase their likelihood and the sources of these risks.
What are MSDs?
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), as defined in the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations, mean an injury to, or a disease of, the musculoskeletal system, whether occurring suddenly or over time, but does not include an injury caused by crushing, entrapment (such as fractures and dislocations) or cutting resulting from the mechanical operation of plant.
Work-related MSDs to refer to injuries or conditions of the musculoskeletal system that occur when work demands lead or contribute to discomfort, pain, or injury. These disorders can affect muscles, ligaments, bones, tendons, blood vessels, spinal discs and nerves.
MSDs may include conditions such as:
- sprains and strains of muscles, ligaments and tendons
- back injuries, including damage to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, spinal discs, nerves, joints and bones
- joint and bone injuries or degeneration, including injuries to the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, hands and feet
- nerve compression or injury (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome)
- muscular and vascular disorders as a result of hand-arm vibration
- soft tissue hernias
- chronic pain.
MSDs may affect work performance by:
- lowering a worker’s ability to perform their job and to work safely
- reducing work productivity and quality as workers work around their pain and discomfort
- contributing to other illnesses and impacting a person’s mental health.
MSDs Risk Factors
At the workplace, MSDs may happen because of a single incident or event (for example, tripping over and spraining an ankle), or develop over time when workers are exposed to one or more risk factors.
Both manual and sedentary work have risk factors that may lead to MSDs.
Risk factors that may lead to MSDs can be categorised into the following:
- Physical and biomechanical factors: these are things related to the physical nature of the task and surroundings.
- Organisational and psychosocial factors: these are things related to how work is organised and how people feel and connect with others.
- Individual factors: these are things specific to the person.
Examples of MSDs risk factors
| Physical and biomechanical factors | Organisational and psychosocial factors | Individual factors |
|---|---|---|
Manual handling loads, especially when bending and twisting Repetitive or forceful movements Awkward and static postures Vibration, poor lighting or cold working environments Fast-paced work Prolonged sitting or standing in the same position. | High work demands Low personal control or autonomy over the job tasks Lack of rest breaks or opportunities to change working postures Intense work, including as a consequence of introducing new technologies Long working hours or on shifts High psychological stress Low job satisfaction. | Physical capacity (i.e., strength, endurance, height, dexterity) Age and gender Prior medical history. |
Model of causation for MSD risk
The framework below demonstrates how an imbalance between work demands (whether physical, organisational or psychosocial) and an individual's capabilities and coping resources can increase the risk of developing MSDs.
When such a mismatch occurs, a number of hormonal and physical changes in the body reduce tissue ability to cope with the workload, which can lead to pain or injury.
Sources of MSDs Risk
Effective prevention of MSDs requires addressing the sources of the risk.
These will be the things you may be able to change to eliminate or reduce the likelihood of MSDs.
Sources of the risk can often be divided into four categories:
- Workplace design and layout
- Task and process
- Systems of work
- Plant and equipment
Further reading and evidence
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Australia 2019
A report conducted by SafeWork Australia and La Trobe University that provides a detailed examination of the causes, impacts and prevention of work-related MSDs. It outlines current knowledge of work-related MSD hazards and risk factors, statistics on incidence and impact, and a review of work-related MSD interventions in Australia and internationally.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders literature review
A recent literature review conducted by WorkSafe New Zealand on the risk factors for work-related MSDs and the interventions to reduce the harm from them.