ULDs is a name given to musculo-skeletal disorders (MSDs) that affect the upper limbs.
ULD is used as an umbrella term for a range of disorders of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder and neck. It covers those conditions, with specific medical diagnoses (e.g. frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome) and other conditions (often called RSI) where there is pain without specific symptoms.
Symptoms may include pain, swelling and difficulty moving. The worse cases can result in permanent disablement if no action is taken. ULD cases can also mean production losses and compensation claims for employers.
It is estimated that some 4.7 million working days (full-day equivalent) are lost per year through musculo-skeletal disorders mainly affecting the upper limbs or neck that were caused or made worse by work. On average, each person suffering takes 18 days off in any one year.
Further information on this can be found in HSG60 Upper Limb Disorders in the Workplace. This looks at the total management of ULDs from prevention through risk assessment to rehabilitation. Online versions of the Upper limb disorders risk filter and Risk assessment worksheets from HSG60 are available through these links.
ULDs can be associated with working at a poorly designed workstation or PC (see risk assessments).
INDG171(rev1) Aching arms (or RSI) in small businesses is a free leaflet based on upper limb disorders in the workplace (HSG60). It is designed to help employers and managers in small businesses to understand and tackle ULDs.
The ‘from experience’ section of the website contains case studies on how employers have successfully tackled ULDs in the workplace.
Risk assessments for ULDs follow the same form as for MSDs referred to above, using the ergonomic assessment form (see occupational hygiene and ergonomics).