6 Practical Ways to Reduce Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
6 Practical Ways to Reduce Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
24.02.2026
7 mins
From lifting and twisting to prolonged sitting or standing, many everyday work tasks place strain on the body. Over time, this can lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), one of Australia’s most common and costly workplace health issues.
WMSDs affect muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves. They can develop suddenly or gradually, most often impacting the lower back, neck, shoulders, arms and hands. Repetitive movements, awkward postures, excessive force, vibration, and sustained positions are key contributors — making WMSDs a risk across many industries.
Who is most at risk?
While WMSDs can occur in any role, they are most prevalent in construction, manufacturing, health and social services, and driving-based work. Ageing workforces, manual handling demands, vibration exposure, and poor task design can further increase risk if not properly managed.
Reducing the risk of WMSDs
Preventing musculoskeletal injuries requires a systematic, practical approach:
1. Consider physical and psychosocial factors
Workload, fatigue, long hours, stress and workplace culture all influence injury risk — not just physical tasks.
2. Match the task to the worker
Understanding both job demands and individual capacity (such as age, conditioning and experience) helps prevent cumulative tissue fatigue.
3. Improve task design and movement
Analysing postures and movements allows tasks to be redesigned to reduce strain and improve safety and efficiency.
4. Use data to identify risk
Observation, assessments and measurement tools can highlight high-risk tasks and guide effective controls.
5. Implement practical controls
Controls may include training, task-specific techniques, improved equipment, or changes to tools and processes.
6. Review work organisation
Shift lengths, rest breaks, job rotation and task sequencing all play a role in reducing sustained physical load.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders remain a significant challenge across industry. Addressing them requires more than quick fixes — a practical, holistic approach is essential to protecting workers and meeting WHS obligations.
From lifting and twisting to prolonged sitting or standing, many everyday work tasks place strain on the body. Over time, this can lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), one of Australia’s most common and costly workplace health issues.
WMSDs affect muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves. They can develop suddenly or gradually, most often impacting the lower back, neck, shoulders, arms and hands. Repetitive movements, awkward postures, excessive force, vibration, and sustained positions are key contributors — making WMSDs a risk across many industries.
Who is most at risk?
While WMSDs can occur in any role, they are most prevalent in construction, manufacturing, health and social services, and driving-based work. Ageing workforces, manual handling demands, vibration exposure, and poor task design can further increase risk if not properly managed.
Reducing the risk of WMSDs
Preventing musculoskeletal injuries requires a systematic, practical approach:
1. Consider physical and psychosocial factors
Workload, fatigue, long hours, stress and workplace culture all influence injury risk — not just physical tasks.
2. Match the task to the worker
Understanding both job demands and individual capacity (such as age, conditioning and experience) helps prevent cumulative tissue fatigue.
3. Improve task design and movement
Analysing postures and movements allows tasks to be redesigned to reduce strain and improve safety and efficiency.
4. Use data to identify risk
Observation, assessments and measurement tools can highlight high-risk tasks and guide effective controls.
5. Implement practical controls
Controls may include training, task-specific techniques, improved equipment, or changes to tools and processes.
6. Review work organisation
Shift lengths, rest breaks, job rotation and task sequencing all play a role in reducing sustained physical load.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders remain a significant challenge across industry. Addressing them requires more than quick fixes — a practical, holistic approach is essential to protecting workers and meeting WHS obligations.
