Increase in Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Latest figures from the HSE show an increase in the number of work-related musculoskeletal disorders over the past year. In the period 2023/2024, a total of 543,000 workers were reported as suffering from musculoskeletal disorders, up from 473,000 the previous year. 160,000 of these were reported as new cases. All of this led to a massive 7.8 million working days being lost due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders in 2024/2024.

 

The statistics show that the three industry sectors with the highest rates of employees suffering from musculoskeletal disorders are administrative and support activities, construction, and transportation and storage. This underscores the need for continued advancements in improving Display Screen Equipment (DSE) setups and enhancing manual handling practices to reduce the prevalence of these disorders.

 

Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

Employers have a legal obligation to protect employees from risks associated with the use of DSE, particularly for those using it regularly for periods of an hour or more as part of their daily work.

 

To comply with DSE regulations, employers must:

• Conduct a Workstation Assessment: Employers need to assess each employee’s workstation to identify risks and ensure it is ergonomically sound.
• Implement Risk Controls: Measures such as encouraging regular breaks, varying tasks to avoid prolonged DSE use, and providing DSE aid equipment help reduce the risks of musculoskeletal disorders.
• Provide Eye Tests: Employees are entitled to an eye test on request, ensuring any necessary corrections can be addressed for screen work.
• Offer DSE Training: Employers must provide training on the correct setup and use of DSE, including posture and the adjustment of chairs, screens, and other equipment.

 

Manual Handling

Similar to DSE, employers are legally required to safeguard employees from the risks associated with manual handling tasks in the workplace. Manual handling includes lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, or moving loads, such as objects, people, or animals.

 

To meet this obligation, employers must take the following steps when planning and managing manual handling tasks:

1. Avoid manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable, e.g., using manual handling aids like a lift truck or changing jobs to remove the aspect of manual handling.
2. Assess the risks of injury from manual handling tasks that cannot be avoided, e.g., consider TILE (the Task, the Individual’s capacity for manual handling, the Load in terms of the weight and shape, and aspects of the Environment like the amount of light and space available).
3. Reduce the risk of manual handling as far as reasonably practicable by taking steps such as:
   • • Splitting loads into smaller, more manageable sizes.
     • Adjusting work schedules to avoid excessive workloads.
     • Providing training in proper manual handling techniques.
     • Improving the physical environment, such as ensuring adequate lighting, clear pathways, and appropriate floor surfaces.

 

Adequately providing employees with the correct DSE and manual handling support as an employer can help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders developing.

 

If you have any questions or would like support with managing issues at your workplace, please speak to your usual contact or get in touch using the form below.