The Signs Look Good: NSC Cites A Decline In Musculoskeletal Injuries

The Signs Look Good: NSC Cites A Decline In Musculoskeletal Injuries

On December 28, 2024, the National Safety Council (NSC) released the 2023/24 MSD Solutions Index Pledge Community Report, which indicated that there have been significant improvements in reducing the threat of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). These injuries are common in roles with heavy lifting and repetitive tasks, which over time cause adverse effects on muscles, joints, bones and connective tissue. Firms have long recognized this risk, and seek to minimize the likelihood of MSDs by:

• implementing ergonomic programmes
• prioritizing leading indicators
• facilitating employee engagement
• increasing reporting
• sharing effective solutions

 

Results from the NSC report indicate that nearly 89% of respondents have implemented an MSD prevention and ergonomics programme, a 6% increase from the 2022/23 publication. These programmes help improve workplace safety by identifying and addressing on-site ergonomic risks, often through risk assessments, which have been enhanced in recent years through the introduction of AI. Firms such as Benchmark Gensuite utilize AI-video-based evaluations that highlight repetitive movements that can cause future injuries.

The survey results show that 65% of respondents reported prioritizing leading indicators over lagging indicators. This reflects a pivot towards ‘proactive risk management’, which aims to identify and address risks before they occur by analysing trends and patterns in historical data. To achieve this, decision-makers often leverage training information and observation data to help provide users with a complete view of current performance and potential risk. According to the 2024 EHS global corporate survey, increasing the use of leading indicator metrics for proactive management is the highest priority for EHS functions over the next two years.

In order to analyse leading indicators, senior leaders must have access to a significant wealth of data to form meaningful predictions. To gain the best understanding, frontline workers must provide as much information as possible through reporting tools, so their supervisors can gain a clear understanding of when and where injuries are occurring. In the NSC report, awkward posture, lifting, and prolonged sitting and standing are cited as the most common MSD risk factors. Lower back pain was the most prominent injury, reported by 77% respondents – compared with only 58% the previous year. This significant change is likely due to an increase in reporting, which helps firms to identify the root cause of these injuries. Armed with this insight – which facilitates the deployment of effective ergonomics programmes – EHS leaders have the potential to reduce the impact of MSDs.

Another pivotal factor in reducing the number of MSD cases is the increased involvement of employees in making safety decisions. Specifically, 68% of respondents engage frontline workers in safety-related decision-making. Firms frequently question employees about their tasks, current workflows and worksite design; collecting their opinions helps to create a positive safety culture, where frontline workers feel valued and understand how they can shape the organization. Instigating this process encourages increased engagement between frontline workers and senior leaders, engendering trust between different parties throughout the organization.

All of these factors facilitate EHS leaders’ ability to identify potential risks that can lead to MSDs developing over time. Software vendors help firms streamline and closely monitor this process, helping to keep their workforce fit and healthy. To read more about MSDs, click here.