Topic
Musculoskeletal Health
Work-related musculoskeletal effects including manual-handling harm.
Documents
- 202618 Jun
Fall overboard from the crab potting vessel Amadeus (TH7) with the loss of 1 life
Investigation of a fatal fall overboard during manual crab-pot hauling on Amadeus in the North Sea. It examines low bulwark protection, biomechanical demands, almost certain significant fatigue, absent flotation and ineffective recovery arrangements. Findings address deficient safety management and regulatory oversight, with recommendations on fall prevention, handling assessment and work–rest monitoring.
- 202612 Jan
LTI – back injury
An Able Seaman suffered a lower-back injury while lowering a crew transfer vessel’s gangway onto the quay. The flash examines lone manual handling, crane-position constraints, uncertain gangway weight and inadequate procedural risk controls. Lessons include ideally using two people when mechanical aids cannot be used, reviewing assessments and verifying gangway weights.
- 202223 Nov
BSEE: A note on repetitive strain injuries
This safety flash reviews four strain-related incidents involving tool use, valve operation, battery handling and movement onto a drilling deck. It discusses excessive force, repetition, awkward posture and individual risk factors, calling for evaluation of engineering and administrative controls, ergonomics training and early recognition of musculoskeletal warning signs.
- 202228 Sep
Body Mechanics Lifting Techniques and Repetitive Motion Lead to Strain Injuries
This BSEE alert reviews four recent reports of strain injuries and symptoms associated with offshore tasks. It discusses excessive force, repetitive movement, awkward posture and individual risk factors. Recommendations include considering worker training, early recognition of musculoskeletal warning signs, and periodic evaluation of ergonomic measures.
- 20224 May
MSF: Manual Handling Injury During Bulk Hose Operations
A crewman sprained his right calf while connecting a bulk hose aboard a vessel. Residual liquid, manifold angle and rigid hose-end fittings made handling awkward. The flash discusses reducing connections, draining hoses and proposed improvements to manifold arrangements and hose-draining procedures.
- 202120 May
Injuries sustained during maintenance – worker positioning
This safety flash examines two maintenance injuries involving awkward worker positioning and hand tools: facial injuries from a slipping spanner and a shoulder muscle tear during bolt breaking with cutting shears. It recommends considering combined ergonomic factors in task risk assessments, pre-job planning and toolbox talks, supported by examples of ergonomic controls.
- 202116 Apr
Mooring: Increase in first aid cases involving over-exertion
This safety flash reports several recent over-exertion accidents, mostly during mooring and heavy-line handling. It identifies excessive loads, improper handling and awkward posture as causes. Actions include stretching before strenuous work, considering movements, inspecting dock areas, keeping lines clear and checking dock and vessel condition before manoeuvres.
- 20209 Jan
Back Injury Caused by Lifting Slings
A deck crew member developed sharp back pain after carrying two bundled transit slings on his right shoulder for approximately 3–5 metres during preparations to transfer heavy weight drill pipe. Unable to continue walking, he was taken by the emergency response team to the sick bay on a stretcher and subsequently medically evacuated.
- 2016Sep
Manual handling - Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 - Guidance on Regulations
Guidance explains duties under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations and an ergonomic approach to preventing musculoskeletal injury. It covers avoiding hazardous handling, assessing unavoidable tasks, mechanical assistance, workplace and load design, training and handling techniques. Assessment methods include initial filters, MAC, V-MAC, RAPP and ART, with limitations on their use.
- 201522 Oct
Everyday activity, unwanted outcome: Poor manual handling leads to back strain
A shore worker strained his back while removing a box containing an approximately 20 kg turbocharger from a 2 m shelf. Working alone, he had not anticipated its weight and held on as it fell to waist height. The flash highlights checking labels and storing heavy items at waist height where possible.
- 2014Feb
Safe Patient Handling -- Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders in Nursing Homes
Guidance on preventing musculoskeletal harm during patient handling in nursing homes. It promotes mechanical lifting and reduced manual handling, supported by management commitment, frontline participation, hazard assessment, equipment selection and training. Programme evaluation uses injury records, while common misconceptions about lifting methods and costs are addressed.
- 2010Mar
Whole-body vibration
Guidance explains whole-body vibration duties, exposure estimation and back-pain risk for vehicle drivers and machine operators. It covers representative vibration data, daily directional assessment, shocks and jolts, vehicle and seat maintenance, driver training and posture. Informal symptom monitoring is distinguished from formal health surveillance, which is considered inappropriate for whole-body vibration.
- 2009Nov
Health risk management - A practical guide for managers in small and medium-sized enterprises
Practical guidance for managers of small and medium-sized enterprises on identifying occupational health hazards, assessing risks, implementing controls and checking results. Case studies illustrate chemical exposure, noise, vibration and musculoskeletal problems. It discusses workforce involvement, health surveillance, exposure measurement, engineering controls and continuing improvement.
- 200826 Jan
Failure of Counter Balanced Lids for Waste Storage Areas Result in Injuries
This alert summarises several incidents involving personnel attempting to lift counterweighted lids over waste storage areas. Reported outcomes include back strains, hands and arms becoming trapped beneath lids, and a falling lid striking a head. The supplied text identifies lid failure but gives no detailed causes or preventive measures.
- 20053 Jan
Lifting techniques
This safety flash presents a member’s notes on manual lifting, prompted by an observed example of back hyperextension and strain. It describes grip, back and chin positioning, foot spacing, keeping arms close to the body, and using the body as a counterweight to the load.
- 20031 Jun
Jet pump incidents
A worker twisted their left knee while racking jet hose alone on top of a jet pump after colleagues were reassigned to tend a diver. The flash highlights equipment access, adequate deck space, unsuitable working platforms, two-person hose handling and job safety analysis addressing body mechanics.
- 20019 Jun
Tail Rope and Drill Pipe Incident
This alert describes a rotary helper sustaining a shoulder strain while handling a stand of drill pipe moving from the setback area during tripping into the hole. The worker required only minor medical attention and returned to work; the incident was classified as a first-aid case.
- 1999
Reducing error and influencing behaviour
Guidance on reducing human error through ergonomic design, usable procedures and organisational improvements. It distinguishes errors from violations, examines fatigue, shift handovers and safety culture, and explains human reliability assessment. Eighteen intervention case studies demonstrate practical changes, emphasising workforce participation and controls beyond reliance on individual behaviour.
- Undated
Roustabout Sustained Back Sprain While Moving Heavy Equipment
An investigation records a roustabout’s back sprain while moving heavy equipment into a container for shipment on Transocean Marianas. A pry bar slipped while he positioned wood beneath the equipment. He was evacuated on a scheduled flight; lost time exceeded three days. The report attributes the incident to inattention and makes no recommendations.
- Undated
Foreman’s Bicep Injury While Moving Swivelling Drain Line
A field foreman suffered a right bicep injury while moving a swivelling drain line on platform B at BA A133. The report attributes the injury to previously unknown tendon deterioration, rather than unsafe practices or equipment. It records evacuation, surgery and no onsite BSEE investigation.
- Undated
Back Injury During MUX Cable Clamp Removal from Work Basket
Investigation of a worker’s back injury while removing MUX cable clamps with an impact wrench from a work basket over a moon pool. The report identifies inadequate basket reach and working while overextended as causes, describes medical treatment and subsequent restricted duties, and makes no prevention recommendations.
- Undated
Abdominal Symptoms While Lifting Steel Plate into Scrap Basket
An investigation records abdominal burning and tightening while an employee and a colleague lifted a steel plate into a scrap metal basket. Persistent symptoms prompted medical evaluation and restricted duty. The report identifies improper lifting procedures and awkward positioning, with physical condition suggested only as a possible factor.
- Undated
Shoulder Injury During Manual Carrying of Scaffold Boards
BSEE investigates a shoulder injury at the Lucius platform during manual carrying of two 20 lb scaffold boards. The worker repositioned to avoid a cable crossing the walkway and felt his shoulder pop. The report records subsequent medical treatment and states that assistance should have been requested.
- Undated
Back Injury While Lifting Large Pot of Rice
An investigation records a galley hand’s back injury while lifting a large pot of rice on West Delta Platform R. Soreness developed over several days before reporting. Medical treatment, evacuation to shore and restricted duty followed. The district made no recurrence-prevention recommendation.
- Undated
Subsea Engineer Injured Knee While Pulling Load Tagline
BSEE investigates a knee injury sustained by a subsea engineer pulling a tagline to guide a crane-lowered load aboard the drillship Thalassa. The report attributes the injury to excessive pulling despite a verbal risk assessment. Enquiries used telephone and email rather than an onsite investigation; the form and narrative give conflicting incident dates.
- Undated
Worker Experienced Lower-Back Pain While Installing Steamer Screw
An accident investigation records lower-back pain during work on a drop-in steamer at Thunder Horse platform. The worker leaned forwards and right to install a screw, experienced worsening pain and was medically evacuated. Light duty followed; no onsite investigation was conducted and the district made no recommendations.
- Undated
Technician Injured While Unloading Crane-Suspended Basket
This investigation examines a technician’s bicep tendon tear while unloading a crane-suspended basket at High Island A 474 A. Congestion prevented landing the basket directly on the deck. Findings identify omissions in the behavioural job safety analysis concerning lift planning, stop-work authority, mechanical lifting, straining and overextending.
- Undated
Lower-Back Injury While Bending to Retrieve Gloves
An accident investigation records a lower-back injury sustained while an employee bent to retrieve gloves on West Delta 45 B Platform. Medical assessment identified lumbar strain, with restricted duties until 6 November 2007. The report attributes the strain to bending at the waist and makes no recommendations.
- Undated
Nail Salon Workers: Stay Healthy and Safe While Giving Manicures and Pedicures - English
This guide explains chemical exposure, musculoskeletal strain and infection risks in nail salons. It covers safer product selection, ventilation, glove selection, filtering facepieces and cartridge respirators, workstation adjustments, stretching, and tool disinfection. It also explains employment status, workers’ rights and access to occupational health assistance.
- Undated
Preventing Musculoskeletal Injury MSI
Guidance for employers and joint committees on preventing work-related musculoskeletal injuries. It explains regulatory responsibilities, assessment of exposure duration, magnitude and frequency, and controls for force, repetition, posture, contact stress and vibration. Workplace and tool design, worker consultation, training and ongoing review are supported by practical case studies.
- Undated
Risk management of musculoskeletal disorders in sonography work
This report examines musculoskeletal risk management through inspections of 32 sonography departments in 14 UK NHS trusts during 2007. It identifies weaknesses in assessment, training and health monitoring, and discusses workload organisation, paired scanning, transducer design, equipment adjustment and user involvement in developing more ergonomic ultrasound systems.