Musculoskeletal Disorders In The Workplace

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders continue to be a serious health hazard in the workplace. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries of the “muscles, tendons, joints and nervous system.” MSDs can affect nearly all tissues. These include the nerves and tendon sheaths. The most frequent areas involve the arms and back. These injuries are caused by “sudden exertion or prolong exposure to forceful exertion” (U.S. Department of Labor, 2000). These injuries usually develop over a period of time. A worker must stay off work in order to recover; some may never regain their health. MSDs affect different parts of the body, including “upper and lower extremities, shoulder, and lower back. Examples of MSDs include carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis