Musculoskeletal disorders

Quick guide: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors

This quick guide explains what work-related musculoskeletal disorders are and what factors increase their likelihood.

WorkSafe position: Our approach to musculoskeletal health

This position sets out our expectations of how persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) should manage musculoskeletal health and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs).

Definitions: Musculoskeletal disorders and work-related musculoskeletal disorders

Our definitions for musculoskeletal disorders and work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Manual tasks screening tools and risk assessments

These screening and risk assessment tools can help your business to identify musculoskeletal risks for a range of manual tasks.

Reports to support work-related musculoskeletal disorders resources and tools

Our research reports provide information about the work-related musculoskeletal disorders programme, the resources and tools we have developed, and why and how we developed them.

Manual handling training not an effective control

Manual handling (or ‘how to lift’) training does not reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders. Find out about what works instead and what businesses can do to manage the risks of hazardous manual tasks.

Vibration

Repeated exposure to vibration from hand and power tools and while using vehicles and mobile plant can cause permanent injuries to blood vessels, nerves and joints.

Manual handling

Guidance on identifying the dangers and risks of manual handling, and recommendations to help avoid or reduce musculoskeletal injuries.

Fatigue

Many industries rely on workers being physically and mentally alert. Fatigue is a state of physical and/or mental exhaustion which reduces a person’s ability to perform work safely and effectively.

Working with computers

Read our guidance relating to working postures and managing risks when using computers.