Work-Related MSDs Are the Hidden Cost Your Business Can't Ignore
543,000 workers suffering from musculoskeletal disorders. 7.8 million working days lost. Yet most businesses still don't connect the dots.
Work-related MSDs represent one of the biggest causes of workplace absence and long-term health issues across Great Britain. The HSE's latest figures paint a stark picture: back disorders alone account for 43% of cases, with upper limb and neck problems making up another 37%.
These aren't random statistics; they are preventable outcomes with clear solutions. The question is: how much longer can your business afford to ignore them?
Who's Really at Risk?
Here's what many companies miss:
High-risk sectors include:
Manufacturing production lines
Construction
Logistics and warehousing
Admin and office environments
These sectors show significantly higher MSD rates than average. The common thread? Work activities directly linked to:
Manual handling
Awkward postures
Repetitive work
Poor workplace design
The True Business Impact of MSDs
Each MSD case averages weeks of absence. Multiply that by:
Salary costs
Temporary cover expenses
Reduced productivity
Potential legal exposure
Prevention isn't just about compliance; it's about protecting your workforce and your bottom line.
The data shows we're back to pre-pandemic MSD rates. That's not progress – that's a missed opportunity.
What Ergonomics Actually Delivers
Specialist Ergonomics expertise provides:
Evidence-based workstation assessments - Identifying risks before they become injuries
Task analysis for high-risk roles - Understanding exactly where problems occur
Proactive intervention - Stopping injuries before they happen, not after
Training that changes behaviour - Not just tick-box compliance
Ergonomics eliminates or reduces the force, repetition, awkward postures and poor manual handling that cause MSDs at the source.
Why Your H&S Team Needs Ergonomics Support
Your Health & Safety team do vital work; risk assessments, compliance, incident management and policy development. Their broad remit is essential for workplace safety.
But Ergonomics is a distinct specialism.
Think of it this way: Quality control can identify a defect trend, but you need the process engineer to redesign the solution.
What Ergonomists Bring
Specialist expertise in:
Workplace design optimisation
Work process analysis
Equipment specification
Task demand assessment
Individual capability matching
Environmental factor evaluation
It's Not Either/Or – It's Both
This isn't about replacing your H&S function. It's about complementing it with specialist expertise where it's needed most.
If your business operates in manufacturing, construction, logistics or any sector with physical demands, combining your H&S team's work with Ergonomics expertise is how you actually prevent MSDs.
The Bottom Line
Your H&S team are essential.
For eliminating Ergonomic risks and preventing MSDs, add an Ergonomist.
The statistics are clear. The business case is proven. The solution is available.
The question is: How much longer can your business afford to wait?
Source: HSE Health and Safety Statistics 2024 View Full Report
Want to reduce MSD costs in your business?
Contact Ergo & Wellbeing for specialist Ergonomics support across manufacturing, logistics and workplace environments throughout the UK and Ireland.