More often than not, the jobs we have and the places we work require us to do the same thing over and over again. We come to work, perform our duties, and then leave to do the same the next working day.

However, this can lead to some medical issues, especially if the job requires physical movement or strain. Even having to carry a light load can lead to physical ailments if loads are not handled correctly. However, manual handling training can help employees understand how certain physical injuries can happen as well as how to prevent them.

 

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are injuries affecting a person’s ability to perform any physical work, whether it is physical labour or general physical movement. There are several areas of the body where a person may suffer from MSDs, depending on their job, age, and several other factors.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 1.71 billion people are affected by MSDs, suffering from varied ranges and types of disorders.

A few common diseases that can be classified as MSDs are:

·         Tendonitis

·         Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

·         Ligament Sprain

·         Muscle Strains

·         Tendon Strain

·         Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

·         Tension Neck Syndrome

·         Radial Tunnel Syndrome

·         Ruptured Disc

·         Hernia

·         Epicondylitis

According to reports, MSDs affected more than 126 million individuals in the US with more than $200 billion spent both directly and indirectly on MSD treatments. MSDs are also not invested by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as much in terms of treatment and medical research, which focuses more on cancer and heart diseases.

Each of these diseases affects the musculoskeletal system in its way, affecting the person and their physical ability to a point that it may prevent them from everyday activities or even participating in society. Musculoskeletal disorders are sometimes also described as overuse or stress injuries, though studies show that there might be more to MSDs than just stress repetition.

Despite all this, musculoskeletal disorders are preventable diseases. That is why we will explore the causes of MSDs before we look at their avoidance or prevention.

 

Understanding MSDs and Their Causes

MSDs are caused when a worker is at risk of it, which usually starts to happen when they are fatigued by their job duties. If they do not have enough time for their body to recover, it can create a musculoskeletal imbalance. Continuous strain in a fatigued state can cause an MSD to develop.

Even as late as 2015, the understanding of musculoskeletal disorders and their underlying causes is limited. Most studies still look at repetition and strain as the most commonly understood cause factors, but another method to understand the causes of MSDs is to look at their preventative measures as well.

 

MSD Risks Due to the Work Environment

How a workplace operates plays a crucial role in either helping a worker effectively manage musculoskeletal stress, or being the cause in exposing them to its risks, and eventual MSD development.

Every job can have some form of musculoskeletal risk, especially desk jobs, such as in an office. While the inherent risk of physical injuries and MSDs is present in workplaces with manual handling operations, such as warehouses or in physical sports, everyday jobs have a risk as well.

Something as trivial as sitting the wrong way in a chair, not paying attention to ergonomics, straining your wrists while writing, your posture, etc., can have a significant effect on your musculoskeletal health in the long term. Moreover, a physically demanding job needs objective evaluations in not having someone perform outside their capabilities.

The risk factors for common Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) include:

·         High repetition

·         Repetitive awkward postures

·         High muscle exertions or strains

·         Short and limited recovery periods

While careers that demand physical athleticism have physiotherapists and doctors that understand the inherent risk, most jobs require the individual workers to be attentive to the risk factors.

 

Preventing and Avoiding MSDs

Here, we are not talking about seeking physical therapists or a doctor, but rather, the practices we can apply or adhere to so that we can avoid developing MSDs or at least reduce their negative effects in the long term.

 

Setting Up Your Workstation

If you are working in front of a desk, it is very important to consider its ergonomics. You must keep your major work tasks directly in front of you so that you don’t have to bend or twist yourself to perform them.

 

Keeping Up Your Posture

Here are a few considerations that must be made in keeping the posture steady and straight while working:

·         Avoid static positions. If they are necessary, consider regular stretches and activity for at least ten minutes every one or two hours.

·         Keep your neck straight and avoid forward bends. Bending the neck forwards for prolonged periods can negatively affect posture and cause back injuries.

·         Keep wrists neutral without any strains or extreme movements. While working with a mouse and keyboard, use your arms to move rather than your wrists.

·         Use any ergonomic assistance necessary to keep your position as straight and neutral as possible. Use footrests, and backrests, or change chairs until you are in a comfortable and straight position.

 

Maintain Task Moderation

Handling heavy loads for manual handling work should be done in moderation, mixing it up with light loads or non-manual handling tasks. It gives the body time to recover, as avoids fatigue and strain for prolonged periods.

If there is any work that can be performed by power tools, use them. Only work as much as you are capable, and if the task can be modified to make it less physically straining, it always is modified to whatever extent necessary.

 

Conclusion

Manual handling tasks and musculoskeletal disorders go hand in hand, but there is only so much to cover in one short piece. For now, our focus is on upholding the posture and minimizing strain where possible.