# Safety Services

**Source**: https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/toolkits/ergonomicsmsds/
**Parent**: https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/toolkits/dse/

[Skip to navigation](#navigation) | [Skip to main content](#content) | [Skip to footer](#footer)

[Home](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/)

# Safety Services

- [Policy & Arrangements](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/policy/)
- [Topic A-Z](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/topic_a-z/)
- [Safety toolkits](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/toolkits/)
- [Safety news](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/news/)
- [Documents](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/handsdocs/)
- [Safety Advisor resources](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/ssaresources/)
- [Links](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/links/)
- [About us](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/)

---

## Ergonomics & Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are degenerative diseases and inflammatory conditions that cause pain and impair normal activities. MSDs may be caused or aggravated by the work a person does.

This toolkit will help those undertaking or managing the risks associated with a range of work-related activities, which may cause or exacerbate MSDs if not adequately managed.

MSDs are often associated with the following work activities

- those involving [Manual Handling](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/toolkits/man_hand/)
- use of [display screen equipment](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/toolkits/dse/)

and further information is in the topic-specific toolkit.

This toolkit contains information relating to

- ergonomics in the [laboratory](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/toolkits/ergonomicsmsds/labergonomics/)
- information on [cleaning activities](http://www.hse.gov.uk/cleaning/backpain.htm?ebul=hsegen&cr=9/01-feb-16 "link to HSE website") (HSE website).

Further general information is available on the [HSE's MSD website.](http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/msds.htm)

#### Toolkit documents

- [Hand-arm vibration](http://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=33123)

#### Contact us

- [Email us](mailto:catherine.davidge@manchester.ac.uk)
- +44 (0) 161 306 6000

#### Find us

[The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK](http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/travel/)

- [Disclaimer](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/disclaimer/)
- [Data Protection](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/privacy-information/data-protection/)
- [Copyright notice](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/copyright/)
- [Web Accessibility](https://www.healthandsafety.manchester.ac.uk/accessibility-statement/)
- [Freedom of information](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/privacy-information/freedom-information/)
- [Charitable status](https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/governance/charitable-status/)
- Royal charter number: RC000797