Musculoskeletal Disorders Prevention Plan to 2026
The Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) Prevention Plan to 2026 is a three year plan to prevent MSDs in workplaces.
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What is a Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD)
A MSD is an injury to, or disease of, the body’s musculoskeletal system and includes sprains and strains of muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. MSDs can occur suddenly or progressively over time. They can be caused by physical and psychosocial hazards, which may also interact with one another to cause harm.
MSDs can significantly impact a worker’s health and quality of life, whilst also affecting the productivity and operational costs of the business.
Work shouldn’t hurt, but in NSW, MSDs are the most common injuries and diseases.
- 52% of all serious claims are for MSDs.1
- $64,759 is the average cost of one serious MSD claim.1
- 20 weeks on average is lost time from work per person.1
The majority of serious MSD claims are caused by:
- body stressing such as lifting, carrying and repetitive movement2
- falls on the same level.2
Prevent MSDs by addressing psychosocial risk factors. Research demonstrates a direct link between psychosocial hazards and increased risk of MSDs in the workplace.3
Meeting your legal obligations
Commitment
Demonstrate leadership commitment to prevent MSDs and adopt a risk management approach to address both physical and psychosocial hazards.
Consultation
Actively involve workers and others throughout the risk management process to prevent MSDs.
Capability
Build workplace capability to prevent MSDs and ensure compliance.
Our actions: 2024 - 2026
SafeWork NSW is dedicated to working with key stakeholders to prevent MSDs in workplaces, in line with the Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) Strategy 2023-2033.
Action area
Raise workplace awareness and understanding of work-related MSDs and how they occur.
Outcome
Workplaces have increased awareness and understanding of the risks associated with MSDs, including psychosocial hazards.
What SafeWork NSW will deliver
- Deliver tailored information to improve awareness and understanding of the nature of MSD risks across industries.
- Update guidance material to raise awareness of physical and psychosocial hazards that may lead to MSDs.
- Address persistent and emerging factors leading to MSDs.
Action area
Build workplace capability to eliminate and reduce risks to prevent MSDs.
Outcome
Workplaces have increased knowledge of WHS responsibilities to meet legislative obligations.
Workplaces have the capability to manage MSD-related hazards through good work design.
What SafeWork NSW will deliver
- Collaborate with key stakeholders to develop evidence-based resources and initiatives to prevent MSDs.
- Share industry-based stories, tools and resources to support workplaces to better manage MSD risks.
- Promote good work design principles to enhance business productivity and improve worker health and safety.
- Provide advice and support to NSW workplaces to assist with meeting legislative requirements in managing MSD risks.
Action area
Drive compliance and continuous improvement through regulatory action.
Outcome
Workplaces are taking effective actions to eliminate and minimise MSD-related hazards.
What SafeWork NSW will deliver
- Undertake regulatory action against workplaces and leaders for failure to meet their WHS obligations.
- Continuously review SafeWork NSW’s regulatory framework to ensure it is responsive and effective.
- MSD-related targeted compliance visits focusing on priority industries, occupations and/or workers.
Download a PDF of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Prevention Plan
- State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) Workers’ Compensation Insurance Data all serious MSD claims averaged over five years (2018-19 – 2022-23). Serious MSD claims are those requiring 1 or more weeks off work.
- State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) serious MSD claims 2018/19 – 2022/23.
- Centre for Work Health Safety The link between workplace stressors and physical injury: Current evidence, prevalence in NSW employees and prevention tools, September 2021; and Dr Jodie Oakman, Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Australia, 2019.