LRD guides and handbook January 2004

Pain at work - an LRD guide to musculoskeletal disorders

Introduction (867 words)

If you ask workers about their chief health concerns at work, back pain and repetitive strain injury are always high on the list. ...

1. The extent of the problem (2037 words)

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), musculoskeletal disorders refer to problems affecting the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves or other soft tissues and ...

2. Employers' legal duties (2126 words)

Although there are no specific regulations dealing with musculoskeletal disorders, existing health and safety law requires employers to address problems such as back pain ...

3. Risk assessments (2815 words)

Although there is no single set of regulations governing musculoskeletal disorders, risk assessments can be carried out under a number of different regulations. ...

4. Preventing musculoskeletal disorders (3856 words)

Ergonomics is concerned with ensuring that work is designed to take account of people, their capabilities and limitations. The TUC says that the most ...

5. Rehabilitation and treatment (2661 words)

Given the scale of occupational injury and ill health in the UK, both government and unions have increasingly focused on rehabilitation. A TUC report, ...

Further advice and information (659 words)

Many workers are in workplaces without an occupational health service and do not have access to treatment or rehabilitation through their employer. Unions recommend ...