Improving manual handling risk controls after musculoskeletal disorders

What it contains

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major problem for individuals, organisations and our health system. When MSDs are reported, employers are responsible for reviewing and revising their risk control measures.

MSDs are caused by multiple, interacting factors in the work system, the organisational system, and external sources. Reviews of risk controls therefore need to extend beyond the person doing the task to the system as a whole – look 'up and out' at the system, not 'down and in' at the person.

This document contains:

• a checklist to assess your workplace’s current process for MSD accident/incident reviews
• guidance on how to improve the process and learn from these reviews