Full extent of work-related MSDs revealed

Posted on Thursday 19 August 2021

SINCE 2019, just under half a million people were recorded to be suffering with a work-related musculoskeletal disorder.

This was revealed by the experts at CE Safety, who want to raise awareness to the painful results of the workplace.

Their analysis of data from Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the NHS, highlights how important it is to look after our bodies at work.

Especially as their findings showed that more years are lived with musculoskeletal disability than any other long-term condition.

37% of musculoskeletal disorder cases in 2019/20 were in the patient’s back. This was followed by 44% of upper limbs and necks and 19% of lower limbs. 

In fact, In 2019/20 musculoskeletal disorders accounted for 30% of all work-related ill health cases.45 and over are most affected too, after they reported the most cases, with their younger colleagues having the lowest rates (16 to 34 ages). 

CE Safety also looked at HSE data, finding that between 2017-2020, the average number of cases across all industries was 1,130 cases per 100,000 workers. 

The industries with the most workers affected by these disorders are:

  1. Forestry and fishing – 2,030 cases per 100,000 workers

  2. Construction industry – 2,020 cases per 100,000 workers 

  3. Human health and social work activities – 1,420 cases per 100,000 workers

The occupational health and safety experts also looked into the Labour Force Survey, finding 8.9 million (27%) working days were lost due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders in 2019/20. 

CE Safety also provided tips for workers to follow, to help reduce their chances of developing a musculoskeletal disorder.

You can find these tips here.

Read the full report here: https://cesafety.co.uk/back-pain-sore-shoulders-and-aching-limbs-the-physical-impact-of-paying-the-bills/

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