Musculoskeletal disorders

    Arthritis image iStock gorodenkoff

    Charity urges next UK Government to prioritise arthritis and help sufferers stay in work

    Versus Arthritis has published a manifesto calling on the next UK Government to make arthritis a priority and improve work-related support for the millions of people who suffer from the condition.

    By Kerry Reals on 21 June 2024

    Working on Treadmill iStock martin dm

    Sedentary working and how to combat the ‘sitting disease’

    Prolonged and excessive sitting poses a major risk to our health, but the Get Britain Standing campaign and On Your Feet Britain Day on 25 April are a great way of encouraging workers to sit less and move more.

    By Gavin Bradley, Active Working on 05 April 2024

    Office worker with neck pain iStock Ridofranz

    Hybrid work – don’t let it become a pain in the neck

    Employees working from home can be prone to problems like back pain due to poorly designed workstations and a lack of rest breaks, but digital tools like apps can help employers spot and correct the problems at an early stage.

    By Ed Harnett, Habitus Health on 27 March 2024

    Bus driver MSD pain

    Three quarters of bus drivers report MSD pain, finds survey

    Three quarters of bus drivers say their job causes them musculoskeletal (MSD) disorders such as back, neck and shoulder pain.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 11 January 2024

    Red Diamond Forklift

    Preventing MSDs: how handling equipment design is helping

    Musculoskeletal disorders are a major cause of work-related ill health, so manufacturers of materials handling equipment are increasingly adopting ergonomic principles and design features to reduce the risk of injury when operating forklifts and similar machines.

    By Ben Haseley, Red Diamond Distribution on 08 November 2023

    Sianna Spine DSCF3212

    Made to move

    Movement is essential for our back and general bodily health. Yet when we sit all day, we are often static. Safety Management visits a unique ergonomic furniture shop to find out if active sitting could prevent pain.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 01 September 2023

    Back Pain Istock 857090084 Gilaxia Med

    Spring Budget: funding to tackle leading health causes keeping people out of work

    The Spring Budget has set out more funding for mental health, musculoskeletal conditions and cardiovascular disease to support more people to stay in work.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 16 March 2023

    Hip Pain

    Hip and knee replacement: getting people back to work

    Workers suffering from severe osteoarthritis may eventually require a knee or hip replacement, but there are many practical steps employers can take to keep them in work in the run-up to the operation – and help them successfully return afterwards.

    By Professor Karen Walker-Bone, Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health on 03 October 2022

    Back Pain iStock Wavebreakmedia

    Musculoskeletal disorders at work – the current state of play in Britain

    The latest statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that in Great Britain in 2020/21, approximately 470,000 workers reported suffering from new or longstanding work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

    By Charlotte O'Kane and Hannah Frost, Pinsent Masons on 01 October 2022

    Stand Up Desk Osmond Ergonomics

    Sit-stand desks: avoid the pitfalls

    Sit-stand desks are a useful way of reducing sedentary behaviour at work, but it’s essential workers are trained to use them properly.

    By Guy Osmond, Osmond Ergonomics on 08 August 2022