Musculoskeletal Health Council

The Musculoskeletal Health Cross-Sector Council brings together individuals and organizations with a shared interest in preventing musculoskeletal disorders. Council members share information, form partnerships, and promote adoption and dissemination of solutions that work. Contact the Co-Chair or NORA Coordinator volunteer.

The NORA Musculoskeletal Cross-Sector Council identified over 100 guidance documents with “interventions” or solutions to reduce musculoskeletal disorder risk factors, improve manufacturing performance, and enhance product quality. A spreadsheet of these commonly used and valid ergonomic interventions, solutions, and guidelines is available at no cost on the International Ergonomics Association Musculoskeletal Disorders Technical Committee website.

Research objectives for the nation:

1. Define the incidence and impact of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
2. Understand the risk factors for work-related MSDs
3. Describe the underlying mechanisms of MSDs
4. Develop and evaluate interventions to prevent MSDs and limit disability due to MSDs
5. Disseminate and implement interventions to prevent MSDs and limit disability

The NORA Musculoskeletal Health Cross-Sector focuses on preventing musculoskeletal disorders, which are soft-tissue injuries caused by sudden or sustained exposure to repetitive motion, force, vibration, or awkward positions. Musculoskeletal disorders are ubiquitous in all industries. Occupations with particularly high rates of musculoskeletal injuries include

• laborers and freight, stock and material movers
• nursing assistants and registered nurses
• truck and delivery service drivers
• maintenance and repair workers

The NIOSH Musculoskeletal Health Program facilitates the work of the Council and coordinates NIOSH research in this cross-sector.