Musculoskeletal conditions typically involve pain (often persistent) in various parts of the body, which affects a person’s mobility, dexterity and overall ability to function properly, thereby reducing a person’s ability to work. During 2024-2025, it was estimated that 20 million adults were affected by MSDs, with 7 million lost working days. Having recognised the seriousness of such conditions and their impact on an overstretched NHS, under the Getting It Right First Time policy (GIRFT), the government has laid out plans for the early detection, support and treatment of MSDs to facilitate an early return to work. This plan will bring together employer H&S advice, mental wellbeing and clinical care support. Musculoskeletal conditions include conditions that affect:
Joints, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout and ankylosing spondylitis.
Bones, such as osteoporosis, osteopenia and associated fragility fractures, and traumatic fractures.
Muscles, such as sarcopenia.
The spine, such as back and neck pain.
Multiple body areas or systems, such as regional and widespread pain disorders and inflammatory diseases such as connective tissue diseases and vasculitis that have musculoskeletal manifestations, for example systemic lupus erythematosus.
Causes of Conditions
Various factors can cause or contribute to the rise of MSDs, ranging from posture and workspace arrangements to the local workplace environment. Commonly (but not exhaustively), the following are the major causes:
bending, crouching or stooping
lifting heavy or bulky loads
pushing, pulling or dragging heavy loads
stretching, twisting and reaching
repetitive work, particularly using the same hand or arm action
sustained or excessive force
carrying out a task for a long time
work with display screen equipment
working with hand-held power tools for a long time
driving heavy vehicles, long-distance driving or driving over rough ground
What Can Employers Do?
As employers have a duty to safeguard the safety of their staff, they should consult the staff and carry out annual assessments under the Display Screen Equipment Regulations (DSE) (called the Self-Assessment Questionnaire), where staff have the opportunity to highlight concerns about their computer equipment, suitability of their chair, their work desk, lighting, space and ventilation.
When issues are raised, employers should investigate the matter and, where necessary, take appropriate action. Employees can help themselves by carrying out simple stretching exercises at their workstations. Additionally, simple actions can alleviate problems – changing the posture, re-arranging the workstation, re-positioning their screen or simply clearing up clutter around their area to allow freedom of movement.
Where necessary, appropriate training can be given on manual handling, DSE, etc. Ergonomically designed tasks, tools and workstations will also minimise the risks.
