Workload is defined as the total amount of work that a person is expected to do in a specified time.
Time pressure may contribute to high workloads or to tight deadlines. The major factors contributing to
musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) from the physical workload are repetition, force exertion, frequent
or heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying of heavy objects, prolonged awkward postures and
vibration. The speed of movement, the duration of the task and the cycle time should also be
considered while assessing the risk of MSDs for manual handling tasks. Mental workload is defined
primarily as the relationship between the worker’s perceptions of the demands of the task and their
perceived coping capacity (MacDonald 2004, p.40). When reviewing the workload of a job, both
physical and mental workload should be considered.