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Indicator #7: Musculoskeletal Disorders Reported by Employers

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Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries or disorders of muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments, joints, or spinal discs that are caused or aggravated by work activities. Workplace risk factors for MSDs include repetitive forceful motions, awkward postures, use of vibrating tools or equipment, and manual handling of heavy, awkward loads. These disorders also can be caused by single, traumatic events such as falls.

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Table
Indicator # 7: Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders with Days Away from Work Reported by Employers, Maryland
*Rate per 100,000 full-time workers
Year 1. All Musculoskeletal Disorders 2. Disorders of the Neck, Shoulder, and upper Extremities 3. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cases 4. Disorders of the Back
Number Rate* Number Rate* Number Rate* Number Rate*
2000 9,075 530 1,962 115 160 9 4,509 263
2001 9,053 558 2,201 130 199 12 4,699 276
2002 7,625 456 1,933 115 108 7 3,747 224
2003 7,740 462 1,750 104 160 10 3,760 225
2004 8,300 506 2,280 139 420 25 3,630 221
2005 7,020 406 1,520 88 150 9 3,590 208
2006 6,840 390 1,830 104 110 7 3,040 173
2007 6,240 351 1,440 82 100 6 3,050 172
2008 5,690 322 1,320 74 50 3 7,890 163
2009 5,370 313 1,210 70 50 3 2,830 165
2010 5,950 362 1,490 90 110 7 3,000 182
2011 5,650 347 1,250 77 30 2 2,720 167
2012 5,880 349 1,440 86 60 4 2,870 170
2013​ ​5,430 ​319 1,480​ ​87 ​30 ​2 ​2,490 ​146
​2014 ​4,470 ​262 ​1,220 ​71 ​20 ​1 ​2,150 ​125
​2015 ​4,960 ​285 ​1,690 ​97 ​20 ​1 ​1,960 ​113
​2016 ​5,240 ​300 ​1,780 ​102 ​N/A ​N/A ​2,170 ​124

More About this Indicator

Why is this indicator important?

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are preventable and control of occupational hazards is the most effective means of prevention. Estimating the burden and tracking these injuries helps target prevention programs and activities. Information on reported cases can be used to identify contributory factors and develop improved or new prevention strategies or regulations to protect workers.

Data Source for this Indicator

Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. For more information on this data source visit http://www.bls.gov/iif/.

U.S. data and information about this indicator obtained from http://www.cste.org/general/custom.asp?page=OHIndicators

Limitation of Indicator

The Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses is conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics using a probability sample and not a census of all employers. It is based on injury and illness data maintained by employers and is subject to sampling error. There is a potential for additional sampling error if an employer has more than 30 cases with days away from work as an employer is only required to report on 30 such cases. Military, self-employed individuals, farms with fewer than 11 employees, and Federal agencies are excluded from the survey.​ 

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