Musculoskeletal disorders
A range of workplace hazards can lead to musculoskeletal disorders in workers. Learn how to manage these risks and provide a safe workplace.
Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risks arise from exposure to physical and/or psychosocial hazards in the workplace. This can be manual tasks that are hazardous, workplace stressors (for example high job demands, low job control), or slips trips and falls.
An MSD refers to an injury or a disease of the musculoskeletal system.
MSDs include, but are not limited to:
- sprains and strains of muscles, ligaments, and tendons
- back injuries involving muscles, tendons, ligaments, spinal discs, nerves, joints, and bones
- nerve injuries or compression, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- muscular and vascular disorders from hand-arm vibration.
MSDs can result from gradual wear and tear and/or sudden damage to parts of the body.
MSDs do not include:
- an injury caused by crushing or entrapment
- cutting caused by mechanical operation of plant.
See clause 5 of the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017 for the definition of MSD.
MSDs can have long-term, costly impacts for businesses and workers. On average, MSDs account for 50% of all workplace injuries in NSW, spanning across all industries and occupations. For up-to-date statistics about MSDs in NSW, visit the State Insurance Regulatory Authority.
Employers and/or persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must eliminate hazards in the workplace that could lead to MSDs. If this not reasonably practicable, then control measures need to be implemented in line with the hierarchy of controls.
Read our Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) Prevention Plan to 2026 to learn about our commitment to prevent MSDs in workplaces.
Tools and resources for managing musculoskeletal disorders
SafeWork NSW has a range of resources to provide guidance.
Hazardous manual tasks
The Hazardous Manual Tasks Fact Sheet (PDF, 200.87 KB) provides an overview on MSDs, hazardous manual tasks (HMTs) and how to manage MSD risks arising from HMTs.
The hazardous manual tasks code of practice (PDF, 1499.23 KB) provides practical guidance on how to manage MSD risks arising from hazardous manual tasks. This code outlines the law, the risk management process, and provides examples on how to control risks through safe work design.
The risk management process for manual tasks (PDF, 44.27 KB) is a flowchart that outlines how to identify, assess, control, and review hazardous manual tasks. Use it to check if your risk management process is consistent with the code of practice.
The systems self-assessment tool (PDF, 263.07 KB) will help you determine how effective your system is for managing hazardous manual tasks, and to identify opportunities for improvement.
The MSD toolbox talk (PDF, 104.86 KB) helps a supervisor, manager or safety professional consult with workers about preventing MSDs in the workplace.
Use the interactive risk management worksheet (PDF, 101.05 KB) to record and document the tasks in your workplace that are hazardous.
Use the checklist in the training fact sheet (PDF, 138.3 KB) to help ensure workers receive appropriate training on hazardous manual tasks.
Listen to this webinar to gain an understanding of how to identify and manage hazardous manual tasks. An accessible version is also available.
Participate Ergonomics for Manual tasks (PErforM) is a simple manual tasks program based on an internationally recommended approach for reducing MSDs. SafeWork NSW regularly runs free online seminars on how to implement PErforM, called ‘Manual Handling Safety @ Work – Approaches to prevent injury’. Visit the events calendar for upcoming seminars.
Slips, trips and falls on the same level
The managing the work environment and facilities code of practice (PDF, 422.29 KB) can be used to assist in managing MSDs caused by the work environment. It also provides guidance on specific types of work, such as outdoor, remote, and isolated work.
Use the systems self-assessment tool (PDF, 270.22 KB) to audit your system to determine how effective it is for managing slips, trips and falls on the same level.
Slips, trips and falls prevention (PDF, 674.05 KB) is a practical guide that includes information, case studies and tools for managing these hazards in the workplace.
Use the incident worksheet (PDF, 210.14 KB) to help prevent the recurrence of a slip, trip or fall incident in your workplace.
Safe design and use of stairs (PDF, 98.59 KB) specifies design requirements for stairs and common hazards when using stairs.
Visit the slips, trips and falls page for more information about this topic.
Psychosocial hazards
The SafeWork NSW managing psychosocial hazards at work code of practice provides guidance on identifying and managing psychosocial hazards at work. Visit the work-related stress tip sheets for more information.
Industry specific resources
- Agriculture – Musculoskeletal disorder hazards from drenching and vaccinating sheep
- Agriculture – Musculoskeletal disorders from strawberry picking
- Construction podcast
- Early childhood education and care
- Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD's) in Early Childcare Education and Care
- Health Care and Social Assistance
- Managing musculoskeletal disorder risks guide...in aged care (PDF, 223.07 KB)
- Supermarkets and grocery stores-managing hazardous manual tasks checklist (PDF, 271 KB)
- Managing hazardous manual tasks checklist guide 2018 - supermarkets and grocery stores
Contact us
If you’d like to speak to us about MSD prevention or are interested in our programs, please email us at [email protected] or call 13 10 50.