Visit HSE’s website for more advice and guidance on protecting workers from Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
Manual handling at work: guidance on the law
As an employer, you must protect your workers from the risks of manual handling injuries in the workplace.
Workers are vulnerable to the risk of MSD injuries from hazardous manual handling. You can find help with preventing these sorts of risks in your workplace on our manual handling at work webpages.
We have a range of information and guidance for employers, including sections on:
- assessing manual handling
- training for workers
There are also links to useful resources, which include publications that are free to download or buy in hard copy:
MSD body mapping tool
The body mapping tool will help workers report and discuss any musculoskeletal aches or pains that may be caused or made worse by work activities.
Register to access the MSD body mapping tool, along with a guide and posters on how to run a successful body mapping workshop.
MSD Risk-reduction through design awards 2026 – nominations open
This year marks 10 years of recognising UK employers who’ve made impactful design changes to reduce MSD risks.
MSDs affect the back, joints, and limbs, contributing to 6.6 million lost working days annually in Great Britain.
We’re looking for employers who’ve:
- reduced lifting, pushing, or pulling
- improved posture during tasks
- eliminated manual handling through design
If your workplace has implemented such changes, nominate your business for one of our 2 categories:
- Best overall MSD risk reduction
- SME recognition award (for businesses with fewer than 250 employees)
Further details on how to enter, as well as case studies of previous winners, can be found on our website: Musculoskeletal disorders risk-reduction through design awards 2026. The closing date for entries is 31 January 2026.
Driving culture change with HSE’s tools: How to achieve success in 2026
27 November, 3pm
Join this free webinar where experts from the HSE and our publishing partner, TSO, will answer your questions on improving organisational safety culture.
Register for the ‘Driving culture change with HSE’s tools’ webinar.