In 2002, the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance launched a three-year pilot network for the epidemiological surveillance of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the Pays de la Loire region. The objectives of the "workplace surveillance" component are to provide a description of the prevalence in the workplace of the main MSDs affecting the limbs and low back pain, broken down by age, sex, industry sector, and occupation, as well as a description of exposure to risk factors for these conditions. This pilot phase is intended to facilitate the development of a protocol designed to be extended to other French regions or departments.