The MSD programme of work

The main focus of our programme of work is on health and safety issues related to back pain and upper limb disorders but we also look into manual handling. For more information on these programme areas please see the appropriate section below.

• Back pain - MSD programme of work
• Upper limb disorders
• Manual handling

Back pain

Most people have back pain at some time. Usually the pain is not caused by anything serious and it settles within a matter of days or weeks.

It is estimated that 4.9 million working days (full-day equivalent) were lost in 2003/04 through MSDs mainly affecting the back that were caused or made worse by work. On average, each person suffering took an estimated 18.7 days off in that 12 month period.

For information to help employers, managers and employees prevent and manage the effects of back pain in the workplace visit the back pain section.

Medical evidence from the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Faculty of Occupational Medicine focuses on three key messages to deal with back pain:-

• Stay active
• Try simple pain relief
• If you need it seek advice

These key messages form the basis of the successful Working Backs Scotland campaign.

For some real life examples, go to the 'case studies' section of this website to see what others have done to reduce the incidence of back pain at work and how organisations have worked to rehabilitate sufferers and get them back at work.

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Upper limb disorders

HSE uses the term upper limb disorders (ULDs) instead of "repetitive strain injury" (RSI) because RSI does not cover all upper limb disorders.

It is estimated that 4.7 million working days (full-day equivalent) were lost in 2003/04 through musculoskeletal disorders mainly affecting the upper limbs or neck that were caused or made worse by work. On average, each person suffering took an estimated 18.3 days off in that 12 month period.

ULD is used as an umbrella term for a range of disorders of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder and neck. It covers those conditions, with specific medical diagnoses (e.g. frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome), and other conditions (often called RSI) where there is pain without specific symptoms. Symptoms may include pain, swelling and difficulty moving. The worse cases can result in permanent disablement if no action is taken. ULD cases can also mean production losses and compensation claims for employers.

Further information on this can be found in Upper Limb Disorders in the Workplace (HSG60). This looks at the total management of ULDs from prevention through risk assessment to rehabilitation. Online versions of the Upper limb disorders risk filter and Risk assessment worksheets from HSG60 are available here.

ULDs can be associated with working at a poorly designed workstation or PC. HSE have published a free leaflet on work with Visual Display Units (VDUS): Working with VDUs (INDG36). See below for further information on the Display Screen Equipment Regulations.

Aching arms (or RSI) in small businesses (INDG171(rev1)) is a free leaflet based on Upper limb disorders in the workplace (HSG60). It is designed to help employers and managers in small businesses to understand and tackle ULDs.

The case studies section of this website contains several case studies looking at how employers have successfully tackled ULDs in the workplace.

Copies of all HSE guidance and leaflets can be ordered from HSE Books and electronic versions can be downloaded from the HSE website.

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Manual handling

Manual handling covers a wide variety of tasks including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling and carrying.

If any of these tasks are not carried out safely then there is a risk of injury. More than a third of all reported injuries which result in someone being off work for more than 3 days are caused by manual handling.

Manual handling injuries can occur almost anywhere, when people are at work or at home. Heavy manual labour, awkward postures and previous or existing injury can increase the risk.

Through the early reporting of symptoms, proper treatment and suitable return to work plans, most people recover from their injuries and return to employment. However, for a few individuals an injury may cause them to take long periods off work and possibly even leave work entirely.

Manual handling injuries can have serious implications for both the employer and the person who has been injured. Employers may have to bear substantial costs, for example for retraining, wages, overtime and civil liability. The injured person may find that their lifestyle, leisure activities, ability to sleep and job prospects are affected.

It is impossible to say if one particular load is safe to lift or to set general weight limits for manual handling. Things like:

• individual capability;
• the nature of the load;
• environmental conditions;
• training;
• work organisation; and
• other factors; all have an effect on the risk.

So what can be done in practice to help prevent manual handling injuries?

Firstly does the load need to be moved at all?

If it does have to be moved then can it be moved mechanically, for example by using a handling aid such as a pallet truck, electric or hand powered hoist, or a conveyor? Advice on the many different types of lifting and handling aids is contained in INDG398 Are you making the best use of lifting and handling aids [PDF 420KB].

If manual lifting is the only option there are a number of things that can be done to reduce the risk including:

• making the load smaller or easier to lift;
• modifying the workstation to reduce carrying distances, twisting movements, or lifting things from floor level or above shoulder height;
• improving the environment - eg better lighting, flooring, or air temperature can sometimes make manual handling easier and safer;
• ensuring the person doing the lifting been trained to lift as safely as possible.

More information and advice on manual handling is available elsewhere on the HSE website, including advice on assessing the risk from manual handling [PDF 900KB] and preventing and managing back pain at work . The Manual Handling Assessment Charts (MAC) provide and interactive score sheet to help you assess various manual handling tasks.

• Find out more about regulations