ABSTRACT
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), related psychosocial factors and stress are the most common causes of work-related ill-health in the UK. There is increasing evidence to support the value of early identification of MSDs to prevent chronicity and work disability. However, until recently there have been no validated tools to assist in health surveillance for these conditions.
Recent developments in screening tools, which capture all the factors relevant to the biopsychosocial model of ill-health, now offer the opportunity for early identification of employees experiencing difficulties at work. Early Identification facilitates a targeted intervention aimed at preventing and/or reducing sickness absence.
