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MSDs (Musculoskeletal Disorders) are the most common type of work-related injury in Australia. In fact, over half of all serious workers’ compensation claims in construction back in 2024 were linked to MSDs.

MSDs cause pain in muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. The pain can be mild or so severe that it impacts your day-to-day life.

Why it happens

In construction, the risk of MSDs comes from more than just heavy lifting. Factors include:

• Physical factors: shape and weight of loads, awkward postures, repetitive work, poor site layout.
  
• Individual factors: age, strength, fitness, diet, health conditions, work habits, mindset.
  
• Psychosocial factors: stress, time pressure, communication, financial strain.
  
• Work organisation factors: long hours, lack of breaks, poor planning, not enough help.

Often, physical strain gets most of the attention, but the real picture is bigger. These factors work together, and understanding how they connect is key to preventing injuries.

What helps

The good news? There are simple, proven ways to reduce the risk of MSDs:

• Take micro breaks and change positions
• Rotate tasks
• Warm up and stretch
• Build strength and flexibility
• Plan work properly
• Speak up early if you feel pain
• Manage stress and look after mental health

MSDs are not “just part of the job.” With the right mindset and systems in place, we can prevent them and protect both today’s workers and the next generation.

SafeWork NSW has a free program called PErforM, designed to help businesses reduce MSDs. They run workshops both in-person and online. If you’d like to know more, get in touch with us.