Musculoskeletal Disorders: Health and Safety Information

Do you suffer from sprains, strains and pains?

Manual handling is transporting or supporting loads by hand or using bodily force. Many people hurt their back, arms, hands or feet lifting everyday loads, not just when the load is too heavy. More than a third of all over-three-day injuries reported each year to HSE and to local authorities are the result of manual handling. These can result in those injured taking an average of 11 working days off each year.

‘Upper limbs’ refers to the neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, hands and fingers. Upper limb disorders (sometimes called repetitive strain injury (RSI)) can happen in almost any workplace where people do repetitive, or forceful manual activities in awkward postures, for prolonged periods of time.

These can cause muscular aches and pains, which may initially be temporary, but if such work is not properly managed, and the early symptoms are not recognised and treated, can progress to a chronic and disabling disorder.

Cumulative damage can build up over time causing pain and discomfort in people’s backs, arms, hands and legs. Most cases can be avoided by providing suitable lifting equipment that is regularly maintained, together with relevant training on both manual handling and using the equipment safely

Using correct moving and handling techniques can substantially reduce the risk to yourself and those around you.

• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended)



• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

• Aching arms (or RSI) in small businesses INDG171(rev1) (available in packs of 15 ISBN 0717626008 £5.00)



• Manual handling assessment charts INDG383 (available in packs of 10 ISBN 0717627411 £5.00)



• Getting to grips with manual handling: A short guide INDG143(rev2) (available in packs of 10, ISBN 0717628280 £5.00)

Related Publications:

HSE HSG60 Upper limb disorders in the work place £9.50 find out more	HSE L23 Manual handling. Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended) (L 23) £8.95 find out more	Getting to grips with manual handling - A short guide £3.50 find out more
Lighten the load - NAPO DVD £12.00 find out more	Safe Moving and Handling (Manual Handling) Health and Safety Poster £17.94 find out more