Introduction Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a critical problem among the nursing personnel. Physical workload is the major risk factor for the development of musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the physical workload and its association with MSDs among nursing personnel of a university hospital in Thailand.

Method A total of 916 nursing staffs comprised registered nurses (n = 540) and other nursing staffs (n = 376) were participated in this study. Self-administered questionnaires, including Hollmann’s physical load index and a modified Standardised Nordic Questionnaire were used to measure the occurrence of physical workload and MSDs.

Results The finding showed that overall mean score of physical workload was 29.1 (SD = 10.1), half of the study sample (51.6%) perceived the physical workload higher than those mean score. Physical workload as perceived by other nursing staffs was sinificantly greater than registered nurses (p < 0.05). The MSDs rate in at least one body part during 12-month period was 90.5 percent and that during 7-day period was 79.1 percent. The frequently complaint areas were shoulder (69.1%), low back (58.2%), and neck (57.2%). There was a significant association between physical workload and musculoskeletal disorders (p < 0.01). High physical workload was related to developing musculoskeletal symptoms during 12 month period (OR 1.78, 95% CI: 1.13–2.83) and 7-day period (OR 1.97, 95% CI: 1.42–2.75).

Conclusion The high prevalence of MSDs among nursing personnel indicates that they are at risk occupations. Workers highly exposed to physical workload were more likely to report high symptoms of MSDs. Effective intervention strategies that aim to minimise physical workload should be implemented.