How serious a problem are work-related MSDs?
A3: According to OSHA, work-related musculoskeletal disorders account for more than 1/3rd of all occupational injuries and illnesses that are serious enough to result in days away from work. These injuries cost business over $15 billion in workers’ compensation costs each year. Total direct costs may run as high as $45 billion or more. Women suffer high rates of work-related MSDs because of the types of jobs in which they often work. A large number of women work in jobs associated with high levels of repetitive motions, heavy lifting, awkward postures, and other physical work activities such as lifting patients in nursing homes, sewing clothing and other apparel, or using a keyboard.