Summary
The Latest Trends in Musculoskeletal Disorders article dives into MSD trends and highlight key opportunities for ergonomic interventions. Learn how different industries, regions, and age groups are impacted, and how we can create safer workplaces.
Join us on November 1st at 11:30am EST for a webinar by Jeffrey Smagacz on Understanding Ergonomics in the Workplace.
Jeffrey Smagacz is a respected Ergonomist and Engineer with over 30 years of strategic, global experience. Throughout his career, he has driven successful projects and business improvements across a wide variety of industries, leveraging his expertise as a board-certified Ergonomist and Lean professional. Jeffrey’s dedication to innovation and client value, combined with his exceptional problem-solving skills, has enabled him to save companies millions of dollars, dramatically reduce workplace injuries, and significantly improve workplace efficiencies.
Overview
In the evolving landscape of workplace safety, understanding the trends in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is crucial for employers, safety professionals, and Ergonomists alike.
Over the past three years, the frequency and severity of MSD claims have varied significantly across industries, occupations, and age groups. Here is a deep dive into these trends, highlighting the areas of concern and opportunities for improvement.
Industry Trends
The healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation sectors remain at the forefront of MSD claims. The physical demands in these industries—whether it is the repetitive strain of patient handling, the rigorous tasks on assembly lines, or the heavy lifting in logistics—contribute to consistently high rates of MSDs. During the pandemic, these industries faced additional pressures, leading to an uptick in claims. For instance, healthcare workers continue to report high frequencies of back and shoulder injuries, while manufacturing saw increased severity in MSDs due to labor-intensive operations amid a shrinking workforce.
In contrast, the tech, and office-based sectors, traditionally lower in MSD claims, have faced new challenges. The shift to remote work introduced ergonomic issues, with many employees lacking proper workstation setups at home. This led to a rise in complaints related to neck, back, and wrist pain, underscoring the importance of ergonomics even in less physically demanding industries.
Geographic Trends
Regionally, the Midwest and Southern states report higher MSD rates, particularly in industries like manufacturing and agriculture. The nature of work in these areas often involves repetitive motions and heavy lifting, leading to a greater prevalence of MSDs. Meanwhile, states like California, with stricter ergonomic regulations, show slightly lower severity in MSD claims despite similar industry profiles.
Occupational Trends
Manual labor jobs continue to dominate the MSD landscape. Occupations involving repetitive motion, heavy lifting, or awkward postures—such as construction workers, factory employees, and healthcare workers—are particularly prone to these injuries. These roles not only report the highest frequencies of MSDs but also the most severe cases, often resulting in longer recovery times and greater impact on the workforce.
Remote work has also emerged as a significant factor in MSD trends. The pandemic-induced shift to home offices highlighted the ergonomic challenges faced by employees without access to well-designed workstations. The increase in MSDs among remote workers, particularly related to improper seating and prolonged computer use, serves as a reminder of the importance of proper ergonomic practices in all work environments.
Age Group Trends
Age plays a key role in the frequency and severity of MSD claims. Older workers (aged 50+) are more susceptible to severe MSDs due to age-related physical changes, with higher rates of long-term disability claims. Importantly, this demographic has also had more exposure over the years to physical labor and potentially suboptimal ergonomic conditions. The cumulative effect of decades in the workforce often results in more significant injuries and longer recovery periods.
On the other hand, younger workers (aged 20-35) have seen an increase in MSD claims, often related to the modern work environment. The prevalence of prolonged computer and mobile device use, combined with poor ergonomic habits, has led to a rise in neck, back, and wrist issues among this group.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has reported that workers with less than one year of experience on the job also have a higher incidence rate of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses (all types of injuries, not just ergo related) compared to workers with more experience. These workers are five times more likely to be injured on the job than more experienced employees.
Employment Trends
In Taylor Borden’s recent LinkedIn article ((12) Hiring slowed this summer — and other happenings in the world of work | LinkedIn), she highlights that U.S. hiring has slowed, with job openings reaching their lowest level since January 2021. This hiring decline, particularly in labor-intensive sectors, can exacerbate MSD risks as fewer workers are expected to manage heavier workloads. The risk of overexertion and injury grows when organizations are understaffed, making proactive ergonomic strategies even more critical.
Conclusion
These trends in MSDs continue to highlight the need for targeted ergonomic interventions across industries, occupations, and age groups. For employers, investing in robust ergonomics assessment, ergonomic training and equipment is not just a matter of compliance but a critical strategy for reducing injuries, enhancing employee well-being, and improving overall productivity. By understanding and addressing these trends, we can create safer, healthier workplaces for all.
If you are interested in learning more about how ergonomic practices can mitigate these risks and improve workplace safety, feel free to reach out. Let us work together to build a safer, more ergonomic future.
On November 1st at 11:30am EST join us for a webinar by Jeffrey Smagacz on Understanding Ergonomics in the Workplace.
Sources:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Annual MSD data and occupational injury rates.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Ergonomic workplace improvement statistics.
- Taylor Borden’s LinkedIn Article: Hiring slowed this summer.
- California Department of Industrial Relations: Ergonomic regulations and enforcement.
