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A CLOSER LOOK AT

MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) can appear suddenly; or gradually through wear and tear.
MSD may develop as a result of 3 main actions:
Direct trauma - hit by an impact (e.g. dropping equipment on your foot);
Single episode of over-exertion - related to strenuous wor (e.g. lifting a
heavy load that is beyond one!s physical capabilities causing pain);
"epetitive loading - muscle overuse. #his involves gradual muscle fatigue
associated with performing a repetitive tas using the same muscle
groups or body part over a period of time.
COMMON MANUAL HANDLING
INJURIES
!" S#$%"
he most common site for manual handling in&uries is the 'ack (or spine)(
and more specifically the lower 'ack.
he spine is curved like an elongated letter )S) and is made up of a series of
'ones called )verte'rae) which are attached to each other 'y interverte'ral
discs.
he discs are made up of a central mass of spongy tissue with an outer tough
covering of cartilage; acting as a shock a'sor'er 'etween each of the
verte'rae and providing the 'ody with the fle*i'ility re+uired for day to day
postures.
!owever( the spine is a rigid structure at the level of the pelvis or lower 'ack(
and therefore takes the most strain during 'ending( twisting and lifting
actions.
INJURIES TO THE SPINE
,hen the 'ody is in its normal upright position( the interverte'ral discs are under uniform
pressure( 'ut when the spine is fle*ed( e*tended( or 'ent to the side( one part of the disc is
under increased pressure. $n the long term( repetition of these actions can weaken the disc and
cause it to 'ulge.
Damage to the disc can also result from strains on the muscles and ligaments of the 'ack(
through une*pected overloading or prolonged loading. Scar tissue may develop( leading to
loss of fle*i'ility and restricted movement.
-ny prolonged 'ack pain should 'e treated as serious. -lways report pain and discomfort
sooner rather than later.
SOFT TISSUE INJURIES
$n&uries may occur to soft tissues such as nerves( ligaments and
tendons in the wrists( arms( shoulders( neck or legs.
hey may present as painful wrists( el'ows( shoulders or fingers(
usually starting with a twinge or short( sharp pain only when
pressure or force is applied; and with time will progress to 'eing
continuously painful( even at rest.
Some of these in&uries have 'een la'elled as ).ccupational
.veruse Syndrome) (..S)( /umulative rauma Disorder (/D)(
or Discomfort( #ain and $n&ury (D#$).
LIFTING
0ifting and carrying o'&ects should 'e assessed in terms of
how heavy it is( how far it is 'eing carried( the nature of the
load and how much force is re+uired to carry the load.
WEIGHT
he weight of the o'&ect must 'e considered in relation to the:
$requency of lifts;
%osition of the body in relation to the loading
position (e.g. if woring in a seated position&
'.(g is the recommended limit);
Stability of the load;
Distance and time involved.
,here possi'le( single person manual lifting of o'&ects over
12 kilograms should 'e eliminated.

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