Strategic Focus: Emerging Technologies For Reducing Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Frontline Workers

Executive Summary

This report examines the emerging technologies to address work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) and how they are likely to evolve to meet growing industrial demand. Additionally, this report explores how the level of musculoskeletal risk within a job role does and should continue to shape firms’ adoption of these innovative solutions. Millions of workers around the world are suffering from WRMSDs, due to repetitive strain, improper posture, inadequate equipment and over-exertion in the workplace. Not only is this impacting worker wellbeing but it is also increasing the costs associated with long-term injuries and workers’ compensation. Through ergonomics—the study of how humans interact with the workspace around them—vendors have begun producing technologies that seek to mitigate the risk of musculoskeletal damage. Although many musculoskeletal technologies still are in the R&D phase, some solutions are being pilot tested or deployed in industrial settings.