MUHAMMAD FIKRI BIN ABDUL RAHIM // 2014876074 // MEM634 // EM2208C5

ASSIGMENT 3 - MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS (MSD)

1 INTRODUCTION
Musculoskeletal disorders or MSDs are disorders or injuries of the nervous system
and soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage of the human body.
The disorder can have impact nearly on all tissues, including the nerves and tendon sheaths,
and most frequently involve the arms and back. Generally, MSDs is some conditions that
involve the nerves, tendons, muscles, and supporting structures of the body and compromise
their function[1].

Occupational safety and health professionals have called these disorders a variety of
names, including cumulative trauma disorders, repeated trauma, repetitive stress injuries, and
occupational overexertion syndrome. These painful and often disabling injuries normally
develop gradually over weeks, months, and sometimes, over years[2].

Furthermore, MSDs commonly result from exposure to multiple risk factors that can
cause or exacerbate the disorders, not from a single event or trauma such as a fall, collision,
or entanglement. MSDs can cause a number of conditions, including pain, numbness,
tingling, stiff joints, difficulty moving, muscle loss, and sometimes paralysis. Frequently,
patients of this disorder which typically consist of blue collar workers must lose time from
work to recover and some never regain full health. These disorders include carpal tunnel
syndrome, tendinitis, sciatica, herniated discs, and low back pain. MSDs do not include
injuries resulting from slips, trips, falls, or similar accidents[3].

Figure 1 parts of the body are affected by MSDs

2 MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER HAZARDS

MSD hazards are generally classified into three categories which is biomechanical
hazards, additional hazards, and individual hazards[3].

2.1 BIOCHEMICAL HAZARD

This type of hazard also referred to as the primary risk factors of MSDs. It is a risk
factors are those which place a load (stress) upon structures of the musculoskeletal system.
There are three biomechanical risk factors; high force, awkward posture, and repetition. Any

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one of these hazards may lead to an MSD by themselves, however when two or more hazards
are combined together, the risk for an MSD increases significantly.

2.1.1 HIGH FORCE

Force is the amount of effort exerted by the muscles in order to complete a task or job.
The greater the force that is required, the greater the level of stress placed on the
musculoskeletal system. Some activities that can result in forces being applied include lifting,
lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, gripping, and pinching. Some of the factors that need to
be considered with regards to force are that posture being used while applying the force, how
often the force is applied, the weight of the object being handled, and the speed of the
movement[4].

2.1.2 AWKWARD POSTURE

An awkward posture is any fixed or constrained body position that overloads muscles,
tendons or joints. In general, the further away a joint gets from a relaxed, or neutral position,
the greater the risk for an MSD. When a joint is moved further away from its neutral range, it
requires more effort to achieve the same force. If muscles are repeatedly placed in these
positions or held for prolonged periods of time they begin to fatigue and surrounding tissues
become stressed, making them more susceptible to an MSD[5].

2.1.3 REPETITION
Repetition is when similar exertions, actions, or movements are done often during a
specific period of time. During repetitive tasks, the musculoskeletal system can begin to
fatigue, if enough recovery time is not provided. As the musculoskeletal system begins to
fatigue, it cannot tolerate as much stress. Even though the amount of force applied may not
change during the tasks, an MSD may occur is the musculoskeletal system is too fatigued to
handle the stress.

2.2 ADDITIONAL HAZARD

Additional hazards for MSDs include vibration, temperature, contact stress and work
methods.

2.2.1 VIBRATION
There are primarily two types of vibration, whole-body segmental. Whole-body
vibration is typically transmitted through the feet or buttocks to the rest of the body.
Segmental vibration, also referred to as local vibration, occurs when a particular segment of
the body is exposed to vibration, such as the hands when holding a power tool.

2.2.2 TEMPERATURE
Working in very cold or very hot environments can increase the risk for an MSD. In
cold temperatures, the blood flow to the muscles and tissues is reduced. Cold can reduce the
sensitivity in hands and fingers, requiring higher forces to grip objects. Working in humid
environments causes the body to increase blood flow to the surface of the skin. This allows
the heat to radiate away and produce sweat. When internal body temperature increases, the
bodys energy and fluid reserves can decrease, which cause dehydration and muscle fatigue.

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2.2.3 CONTACT STRESS
Contact stress occurs when a part of the body comes in contact with hard, sharp
surfaces or objects. The point of contact places a stress on the musculoskeletal system.
Repeated or prolonged contact could result in inflamed tendons and muscle fatigue.

2.2.4 WORK METHODS OR PROCEDURE

Work methods refer to the way the work is done (technique or habits). Work needs to
be appropriately taught, monitored and enforced for the protection of workers as a means to
reduce exposure to hazards[5].

2.3 INDIVIDUAL HAZARDS

Certain attributes about an individual may also lead to an MSD. These can include
age, body size, previous injuries, and genetic predisposition. These hazards are very difficult
to control, which emphasizes the need to control the biomechanical and additional hazards
even more.

3 CONTROLLING MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER HAZARDS

MSD hazards control is accomplished through ergonomics. When controlling MSD
hazards, the hierarchy of controls should be followed; MSD hazards should first be controlled
at the source, then along the path, and finally at the worker.

Controlling MSD hazards at the source is the most effective form of control. Controls
at the source include redesigning a workstation to minimize reaching, building adjustability
into a workstation so multiple people can use it, using equipment or machinery to eliminate
lifting lowering, pushing and pulling, mechanizing highly repetitive tasks, and preventative
maintenance of all equipment.

Based on guide sets by Health and Safety Executive of Northern Ireland, it states the
main elements for the prevention and management of MSDs in the workplace which is[6]:

i. Policy on the prevention and management of MSDs in the workplace

ii. Risk assessments and safe systems of work plans (SSWPs)
iii. Training
iv. Accident and near miss reporting and investigation
v. Injury management (retention, rehabilitation and return to work)
vi. Internal auditing.

Employers also can prevent MSD hazards by properly designing the job or work
station and selecting the appropriate tools or equipment for that job.

i. Appropriate engineering controls, such as work station, tool, and equipment design.
ii. Work practices, such as proper lifting techniques and keeping work areas clean.
iii. Administrative controls, such as worker rotation, more task variety, and increased rest
breaks, and if necessary.
iv. Personal protective equipment, such as knee pads and vibration gloves.
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4 REFERENCES

[1] D. A. Anidesh, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Res. Chair Occup. Med., no. October,
2007.
[2] O. S. and H. Administration, Ergonomics: The Study of Work, U.S. Dep. Labor, vol.
2000, pp. 114, 2000.
[3] Public Services Health & Safety Association, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Ontoriao
H&S Partn., 2008.
[4] V. Grand, Introduction to work - related musculoskeletal disorders, Eur. Agency Saf.
Heal. Work, vol. 1681, no. 2123, pp. 48, 2007.
[5] E. A. for S. and H. at W. OSHA, E-Facts 9: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders
(MSDs): an introduction, Saf. Heal., pp. 19, 2007.
[6] H. and S. Authority, Guidance on the Prevention and Management of Musculoskeletal
Disorders ( MSDs ) in the Workplace, 2013.