Musculoskeletal disorders

Quick guide: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and risk factors

This quick guide explains what work-related musculoskeletal disorders are and what factors increase their likelihood.

WorkSafe position: Our approach to musculoskeletal health

This position sets out our expectations of how persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) should manage musculoskeletal health and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs).

Definitions: Musculoskeletal disorders and work-related musculoskeletal disorders

Our definitions for musculoskeletal disorders and work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Report: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders definitions review

This report investigates what a work-related musculoskeletal disorders definition should or could look like for WorkSafe.

Report: Review of hazardous manual task risk assessments

This report reviews hazardous manual task risk assessments and recommends the tools that are most appropriate for use in New Zealand.

Manual handling

Guidance on identifying the dangers and risks of manual handling, and recommendations to help avoid or reduce musculoskeletal injuries.

Vibration

Repeated exposure to vibration from hand and power tools and while using vehicles and mobile plant can cause permanent injuries to blood vessels, nerves and joints.

Fatigue

Many industries rely on workers being physically and mentally alert. Fatigue is a state of physical and/or mental exhaustion which reduces a person’s ability to perform work safely and effectively.

Working from home

Guidance for workers who do office-type work in their home, or an equivalent location, rather than at a business premises, as well as guidance for PCBUs.

Offices

Injuries from slips, trips, and falls; lifting and carrying heavy loads; and poor equipment design are just some of the ways office workers can be harmed at work.

Ergonomics

Read our guidance relating to working postures and managing risks when using computers.