What is an MSD?

MSDs are injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, nerves, blood vessels and intervetebral discs of the spine. They vary in severity from annoyingly painful to crippling, disabling injuries. MSDs affect many parts of the body: especially the back, neck, shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, fingers etc. MSDs are cumulative injuries that result from prolonged work exposure to one or more of five ergonomic risk factors:

High rate of movement repetition
High forces
Poor, deviated work postures
High contact stress
High vibration of part of the body, especially in cold conditions

Work-related MSDs can be prevented by ergonomic intervention.