Avoiding work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

MSDs present a serious, ongoing threat to the health and wellbeing of all physio staff. The risks are particularly high for new graduates.

Your employer or clinical placement manager should take action to protect you. But it is important that you get involved in the process.

What your employer should do

Your employer has responsibilities to reduce the risk of injury to staff and students on clinical placement and to people using care services by:

• When you commence your employment or clinical placement, your manager or supervisor should arrange a manual handling risk assessment. Ensure that your risk assessor is competent by checking their credentials;
• If the assessor makes recommendations, it’s important that your employer implements them. 

Manual handling training and advice

You should have an ongoing training programme to develop your skills, knowledge and experience of manual handling as part of your continuing professional development.

Attend and provide feedback if it does not meet your needs.

Also check whether there is appropriate manual handling equipment for your needs.

Reporting incidents and symptoms

Be aware of the reporting system in your workplace for accidents, injuries and near misses – and report every injury or near miss. And keep a copy of incident forms.

If any of the above has not taken place, or you have concerns, talk to your CSP safety rep, your course tutor or the CSP enquiries team. 

Visit 'Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)' on the CSP website.