Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) Assessment

03 July 2025

Introduction

Employers must protect workers by managing the risks of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused or made worse by work. MSDs include injuries and conditions that can affect the back, joints and limbs.

This course will equip delegates with the knowledge to help recognise, assess and reduce MSD (manual handling and upper limbs disorder) risks in their organisations.

Prevention and control of work-related MSDs is a major priority for HSE and, as such, it has published a suite of three simple, but effective risk assessment methods called:

• the Manual Handling Assessment Charts (the MAC tool - for lifting, carrying and team handling tasks)
• the Risk Assessment for Pushing and Pulling tool (the RAPP tool - for pushing and pulling tasks)
• the Assessment or Repetitive Tasks tool (the ART tool - for upper limb disorders)

These tools are designed to help users understand, interpret and categorise the level of risk of the various known ergonomic risk factors associated with manual tasks and will be explained and used on this course.

By covering just the key methods of assessment (and not the legal framework or wider risk management approaches in detail), delegates will be able to cover all the risk assessment approaches in a single day.

Risk assessment is the cornerstone of risk management, so successful delegates will be able to support MSD risk management by using their learning to carry out accurate risk assessment and develop approaches to risk reduction confidently in their own organisations.

Learning outcomes

Delegates will be provided with information that will help them to:

• Explain why we should reduce risk
• Understand what the risks in higher risk physical activity are and how they may result in injury
• Learn how to use HSE's manual handling risk assessment techniques (the MAC and RAPP tools)
• Learn how to use HSE's upper limb disorder risk assessment technique (the ART tool)
• Understand the wider elements of risk management for manual handling
• Explain the legal obligations under the manual handling regulations​

What the course will cover

This course provides an overview of the manual handling regulations, the key risk factors, the control and reduction of risk and the key principles of good techniques. Delegates will learn about the principles of MSDs, understand how injuries happen and learn about common types of injuries. Delegates will look at the MAC, ART and RAPP tools and use case studies and interactive, practical sessions to master the tools in the classroom.

Who should attend?

This course provides an overview of the manual handling regulations, the key risk factors, the control and reduction of risk and the key principles of good techniques. Delegates will learn about the principles of MSDs, understand how injuries happen and learn about common types of injuries. Delegates will look at the MAC, ART and RAPP tools and use case studies and interactive, practical sessions to master the tools in the classroom.

Venue

The course will be run at the HSE Science and Research Centre in the spa town of Buxton.

Buxton is in the heart of the Peak District and has good links to major roads and motorways, mainline train stations and Manchester International Airport.

Details of hotels in the Buxton area can be found at www.visitbuxton.co.uk

Price

£580 per person (includes course notes, lunch and refreshments).

Book Course

Please note that all courses must be paid for via credit card at the time of booking.

Some of our training courses can also be delivered in-company, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Email: HSEtraining@hse.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)203 028 3704

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