Musculoskeletal Disorders Rank as Top Injury Source in Warehousing - Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano LLP Attorneys At Law

A warehouse worker in a high-visibility vest experiencing back pain, clutching his lower back while leaning on stacked boxes.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have become the leading cause of injury among warehousing and delivery workers, according to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. The report shows that these physical ailments stem largely from overexertion, which affects workers’ physical health and industry safety standards.

What MSDs are most common among workers?

Common workplace MSDs include:

Back pain and strain caused by heavy lifting, improper posture, or repetitive bending.
Carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive wrist and hand motions, such as typing or using machinery.
Tendinitis of the tendons due to repetitive actions or overuse.
Bursitis typically in the shoulders, elbows, or knees from repetitive kneeling, lifting, or heavy carrying.
Rotator cuff injuries from repetitive overhead motions or heavy lifting.
Epicondylitis (Tennis or Golfer’s Elbow) due to repetitive arm movements.
Herniated discs caused by heavy lifting or awkward body mechanics.
Knee pain caused by frequent kneeling, lifting, or walking on hard surfaces.

If you’ve suffered one of these conditions in warehousing or any other job in New York, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The attorneys at Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano LLP can advise you on how to file a claim and get the full benefits you’re entitled to under New York law.

What are the major causes of musculoskeletal disorders in warehousing?

According to the GAO report, overexertion and bodily reaction is the top cause of MSDs in warehousing and delivery jobs. Lifting, twisting, and reaching can strain the body over time. This often leads to back pain, joint problems, and other musculoskeletal issues. Other causes include contact with equipment and frequent slips, trips, and falls.

In 2022, transportation and warehousing held the highest rate of serious injuries among 19 major sectors, with 3.8 cases per 100 workers.

How are workplace ergonomic hazards being addressed?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) currently lacks a dedicated ergonomics standard. Instead, it cites ergonomic issues through the General Duty Clause, which is a more general rule requiring a high level of proof to apply to specific cases.

This situation traces back to a Congressional Review Act resolution that repealed OSHA’s ergonomics standard in 2001, which also restricts OSHA from passing similar regulations unless directed by Congress.

Due to these challenges, OSHA staff face major obstacles in recognizing and enforcing ergonomic protections. Compliance officers report difficulties in pinpointing if ergonomic issues cause MSDs on record, limited training in ergonomics, and unclear guidelines. According to the GAO, these factors prevent OSHA from fully addressing ergonomic hazards in warehousing and delivery.

The GAO made five specific recommendations to help OSHA better address ergonomic issues. These include:

Providing access to injury data: Ensuring inspectors can obtain detailed data on MSD occurrences during inspections would help OSHA understand injury causes.
Increasing ergonomic training: Offering more comprehensive training on ergonomic risks would enable inspectors to identify and assess hazards more effectively.
Clarifying ergonomic guidance: Improved guidelines on identifying and mitigating ergonomic issues could aid compliance officers.
Following up on hazard alerts: Conducting timely follow-ups with establishments after hazard alert letters would help verify that corrections are implemented.
Evaluating the National Emphasis Program (NEP): Reviewing the NEP for warehousing and distribution centers would highlight areas to improve ergonomics.

In addition to OSHA’s programs, the National Safety Council and similar organizations offer resources to help warehousing and delivery employers address ergonomic risks. The National Safety Council’s MSD Solutions Lab provides guidelines and tools to minimize musculoskeletal strain in the workplace. This includes proper lifting techniques, rest breaks, and safe workspace design.

Get the benefits you deserve for a work-related musculoskeletal disorder

If you have suffered an MSD on the job, you might be dealing with pain, financial stress, and the overwhelming process of filing a workers’ compensation claim for benefits. The New York workers’ compensation lawyers at Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano LLP can help make the process easier and advocate for you every step of the way.

With over 90 years of experience in handling New York workers’ comp claims and billions recovered in awards and settlements, our law firm knows how to address every obstacle, from complicated paperwork to denied benefits. We’re dedicated to preparing every case with the highest attention to detail. We urge insurance companies to offer fair settlements. If they refuse to budge, we’re ready to take your case to court.

Our legal services don’t cost anything upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. To find out how we can help you, give us a call or contact us online for a free case evaluation. We have law offices across NYC and New York State.