Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders,
or WMSDs, are injuries to the muscles,
tendons, nerves, and joints which occur
or are aggravated on the job.
WMSD’s are also commonly called
Sprains and Strains.
In 2005, Liberty Mutual estimated that
injuries caused by excessive physical
demand cost the construction industry
$13.4 billion nationally.
Also in 2005, the Washington State
Department of Labor and Industries
concluded that sprain and strain injuries
accounted for 36% of the state’s injury
claim reports (almost 50,000) at a cost of
over $300 Million.
What is a Strain?
• A muscle strain is the
stretching or tearing of
muscle fibers.
• Caused by overuse, sports,
a sudden movement or
exercise, or trying to lift
something to heavy.
• Symptoms are pain,
tightness, swelling,
tenderness, and inability to
move the muscle very well.
What is a Sprain?
• A sprain is a stretching or
tearing injury to a ligament
(tissue that connects
bones).
• Caused by sudden twisting,
falling, or getting hit.
• Symptoms are pain,
swelling, bruising, and
inability to move or use the
joint.
Strains to the back, neck, shoulder,
elbow, wrist or leg are common and
can arise from heavy lifting, awkward
postures, or repetitive motions.
Muscle strains can occur suddenly from
a one time incident such as a slip, trip
or fall, or can develop from doing the
same activity over time.
Potential Health Effects:
• If early signs or symptoms are ignored, they
can progress into more serious problems
• Conditions can have long-term effects on a
person’s health, work, recreational options,
and other aspects of life including retirement
• Problems may include persistent pain, pain
with movement, or an inability to move limbs
normally
Risk Factor: An activity or situation which
may contribute to an injury.
Risk Factors for WMSD’s
• Job-related factors: forceful exertions
during physical work, handling heavy
loads, etc.
• Awkward postures: reaching down,
reaching overhead, being in bent
positions, etc.
• Repetitive movements: performing the
same task over and over, using certain
tools, etc.
Personal Risk Factors for WMSD’s:
1. Work-style
2. Age
3. Smoking
4. Height & Weight
5. General Conditioning
6. Pre-existing Injuries
What can you do about WMDSs?
• Educate you workers about WMSDs and
the associated risk factors
• Help your workers to recognize WMSD
symptoms
• Train your workers in prevention
strategies which include a worksite
stretching program such as this
• Support your workers as they take
personal responsibility for their health
This stretching program is designed to
improve worker flexibility in as little as 8-12
minutes of stretching as part of each work
day.
The objectives of this program are to:
•Reduce on-the-job injuries and
associated medical costs.
•Increase productivity and profitability
•Enhance workplace moral and general
awareness of health and safety
Management Module:
How is managements support important to
the success of a stretching program?
How can you help the owners/managers of
your company see the value in a stretching
program?
Supervisor Module:
How is the support of supervisors important
to the success of a stretching program?
How can you help your supervisors see the
value in a stretching program?
Employee Module:
How do you anticipate employees will
respond to a stretching program?
How will you help your employees see this
as a preventative step in staying healthy and
keeping their jobs?
How will you encourage your employees as
they take personal responsibility for their
safety and health?
Funding for this project was
provided by a grant from the
Washington State Department
of Labor and Industries Safety
and Health Investment Project