This page provides information about the risks of injury to the musculoskeletal system from work activities.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, joints, tendons and bones.
MSDs are the most common occupational illness in Great Britain, affecting one million people a year.
They can happen while doing any activity that involves some movement of the body, from heavy lifting to repetitive typing.
Workers in almost every job are at some sort of risk.
However, there are certain tasks and factors that increase the risk. These include -
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repetitive and heavy lifting
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bending and twisting
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repeating an action too frequently
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uncomfortable working position
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not acting quickly enough when symptoms are reported
For further information on MSDs and how to prevent them, go to
www.hse.gov.uk/msd|
Look after your back
One of the most common MSDs is back pain.
For more information about looking after your back, go to the next page
click here for next page| (page 2 of Musculoskeletal disorders)