Postgraduate DiplomaHealth, Biomechanics, Wearables & Operational Safety Applications open

Postgraduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Disorders and Safe Return to Work

Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Disorders and Safe Return to Work. 8 modules covering ISO 11228 (manual handling), ISO 11226 (assessment of static postures) and ErgoIBV. Dedicated tutor and enrolment open.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

Take the controls.

Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

SIM · LIVE ●
Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe work-related musculoskeletal disorders and their risk factors.

02

Apply ergonomic assessment methods for loads, postures and repetitive movements.

03

Interpret the clinical diagnosis of the most common musculoskeletal disorders.

04

Plan treatment and rehabilitation oriented towards work functionality.

05

Design a safe return-to-work process with workstation adaptations.

06

Propose prevention measures and workstation redesign.

07

Develop a prevention and return-to-work programme for a company.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Prevention technician specialising in ergonomics who wishes to specialise in Musculoskeletal Disorders and Safe Return to Work.
  • Occupational physiotherapist who wishes to specialise in Musculoskeletal Disorders and Safe Return to Work.
  • Occupational physician who wishes to specialise in Musculoskeletal Disorders and Safe Return to Work.
  • Sickness absence case manager who wishes to specialise in Musculoskeletal Disorders and Safe Return to Work.
  • Industrial ergonomics consultant who wishes to specialise in Musculoskeletal Disorders and Safe Return to Work.
  • Occupational health manager who wishes to specialise in Musculoskeletal Disorders and Safe Return to Work.
  • Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter the manufacturing industry.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 11228 (manual handling)
  • ISO 11226 (assessment of static postures)
  • Royal Decree 487/1997 (manual handling of loads)
  • Royal Decree 488/1997 (display screen equipment)
  • Law 31/1995 on Occupational Risk Prevention
  • ISO/TR 12295 (application of ISO 11228 and ISO 11226)
  • UNE-EN 1005 (human physical performance in machinery)
Syllabus

8 modules · 800 h

  1. 1.1Epidemiology of MSDs
  2. 1.2Low back pain, neck pain and tendinopathies
  3. 1.3Carpal tunnel syndrome
  4. 1.4Physical risk factors
  5. 1.5Psychosocial factors
  6. 1.6Pathophysiology of cumulative load
  7. 1.7Occupational disease in Spain
  8. 1.8Economic cost
  9. 1.9EU-OSHA European campaign
  10. 1.10Case study: MSD analysis in a plant
  1. 2.1Manual handling: RD 487/1997 and INSST guide
  2. 2.2NIOSH equation
  3. 2.3REBA method
  4. 2.4RULA method
  5. 2.5OCRA for repetitive movements
  6. 2.6KIM methods
  7. 2.7Forced postures
  8. 2.8Pushing and pulling
  9. 2.9Portable sensors in assessment
  10. 2.10Practice: assessment with REBA and NIOSH
  1. 3.1Musculoskeletal examination
  2. 3.2Imaging tests
  3. 3.3Red and yellow flags
  4. 3.4Classification of low back pain
  5. 3.5Pain and function scales
  6. 3.6Nordic questionnaire
  7. 3.7Specific health surveillance
  8. 3.8Differential diagnosis
  9. 3.9Determination of contingency
  10. 3.10Workshop: shoulder assessment protocol
  1. 4.1Conservative treatment
  2. 4.2Therapeutic exercise
  3. 4.3Manual therapy
  4. 4.4Pain neuroscience education
  5. 4.5Biopsychosocial approach
  6. 4.6Management of chronicity
  7. 4.7Orthoses and aids
  8. 4.8Surgical intervention and recovery
  9. 4.9Care coordination
  10. 4.10Case study: programme for chronic low back pain
  1. 5.1Return-to-work models
  2. 5.2Assessment of functional capacity
  3. 5.3Workplace adaptation
  4. 5.4Transitional work
  5. 5.5Gradual reintegration
  6. 5.6Especially sensitive workers
  7. 5.7Role of mutual insurance bodies
  8. 5.8Temporary and permanent incapacity
  9. 5.9Communication between stakeholders
  10. 5.10Practice: individual return-to-work plan
  1. 6.1Hierarchy of ergonomic controls
  2. 6.2Workstation redesign
  3. 6.3Mechanical aids
  4. 6.4Industrial exoskeletons
  5. 6.5Rotation and breaks
  6. 6.6Handling training
  7. 6.7Participatory ergonomics
  8. 6.8Ergonomics in offices and teleworking
  9. 6.9Evaluation of effectiveness
  10. 6.10Workshop: redesign of a picking workstation
  1. 7.1MSD indicators
  2. 7.2Sickness absence and cost analysis
  3. 7.3Epidemiological surveillance
  4. 7.4Notification systems
  5. 7.5Integration into the management system
  6. 7.6Return on investment
  7. 7.7Health programmes
  8. 7.8Workforce ageing
  9. 7.9Continuous improvement
  10. 7.10Case study: MSD dashboard
  1. 8.1Organisational diagnosis
  2. 8.2Ergonomic assessment
  3. 8.3Case analysis
  4. 8.4Preventive programme
  5. 8.5Return-to-work protocol
  6. 8.6Surveillance plan
  7. 8.7Indicators
  8. 8.8Budget
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which allows the programme to be combined with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ErgoIBV, Kinovea, Siemens Jack, Advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies are based on real procedures for ergonomic assessments using REBA, OCRA and NIOSH methods, functional assessment of workers with musculoskeletal injury, and design of progressive return-to-work plans. Assessment is continuous across modules, plus a final integrating project.

Accredited laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-oriented Master's Thesis:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operational limits.
Industry mentoring:lecturers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, OT cybersecurity, DIH and compliance as its pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Organisational diagnosis

Describe work-related musculoskeletal disorders and their risk factors.

Ergonomic assessment

Apply ergonomic assessment methods for loads, postures and repetitive movements.

Case analysis

Interpret the clinical diagnosis of the most common musculoskeletal disorders.

Preventive programme

Plan treatment and rehabilitation oriented towards work functionality.

Return-to-work protocol

Design a safe return-to-work process with workstation adaptations.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Prevention technician specialising in ergonomicsOccupational physiotherapistOccupational physicianSickness absence case managerIndustrial ergonomics consultantOccupational health manager
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.

You will work with ErgoIBV, Kinovea, Siemens Jack, Advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor will indicate the free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the final integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.

Postgraduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Disorders and Safe Return to WorkEnrol
Scroll to Top
SEIUM – Institute of Advanced Engineering
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.