The U.S. Department of Labor
defines a musculoskeletal
disorder as an injury or disorder of
the muscles, nerves, tendons,
joints, cartilage, or spinal discs.
MSDs do not include disorders
caused by slips, trips, falls, motor
vehicle accidents, or similar
accidents.
The number of MSDs has
declined from 34 percent of total
DAFW cases in 2002 to 30
percent of cases in 2006.
Service-providing industries
accounted for 71 percent of the
MSD cases.
C H A R T 3 6
In 2006, musculoskeletal
disorders (MSDs) accounted for
357,160 cases with days away
from work (DAFW), or 30 percent
of the total injuries and illnesses
with days away from work. MSD
cases decreased by almost 5
percent from 2005 to 2006.
Number of musculoskeletal disorders, private industry,
2002–06 (cases involving days away from work)
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
34.0%
of total
cases
33.1%
of total
cases
200,000
32.0%
of total
cases
30.4%
of total
cases
30.2%
of total
cases
2005
2006
100,000
0
2002
2003
2004
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2007