Ergonomic exposures and control measures associated with mass fatality decedent handling in morgues and body collection points in a New York healthcare system during COVID-19: A case series

•Mass fatality events increase musculoskeletal injury risk among decedent handlers.•Mortuary operations change during mass fatality with the use of external morgues.•Hazards include repetitive manual lifting of heavy, unstable loads in awkward postures.•Controls include morgue design, specialized equipment & friction-reducing materials.