Ergonomics and the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders: What Are the Challenges for Businesses?

Table of Contents

1. Is work good for your health?

2. High costs for businesses

3. Improving workplace ergonomics: a practical solution for preventing musculoskeletal disorders

Does a company’s economic health depend on the health of its employees? One thing is certain: workplace health issues come at a very high cost. In 2015, for example, companies incurred 2.3 billion euros in costs due to occupational illnesses (1). By ensuring the good health of their employees, companies should therefore see an improvement in their economic performance… but how does this work? What are the real costs of workplace health issues? What steps can be taken to reduce them? Find the answers in our article.

Is work good for your health?

Every occupation poses health risks to those who perform it. Employers are required to assess and prevent the various occupational hazards to which their employees are exposed (2). According to the International Labor Office, 160 million new cases of occupational diseases are reported each year, such as lower back pain, neck pain, and herniated discs. While some occupational diseases have been known for a long time and are easily identifiable, others have emerged more recently and are particularly widespread, such as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs): their incidence has increased by 60% since 2003, and they are now the leading cause of occupational disease in France (3). The graph below shows that MSDs have serious consequences for both the affected employee and the company. Workplace accidents, meanwhile, cost companies 3.6 billion euros in 2015 (1).

"According to the International Labor Office, 160 million new cases of occupational diseases are reported each year."

High Costs for Businesses

A company that fails to take steps to prevent occupational hazards is likely to have a high rate of employees who suffer work-related accidents or occupational illnesses. It therefore exposes itself to high costs, which can be divided into three categories (4):

Direct financial costs : employer contributions to health insurance, compensation paid to employees, costs associated with researching and adapting workstations, costs related to medical care equipment in the workplace, etc.
Indirect financial costs : These arecaused by the need to replace absent employees, absenteeism rates, lost productivity, reduced production quality, longer manufacturing or delivery times, etc. In 2010, for example, 9.7 million workdays were lost due to recognized occupational illnesses, at a cost of 930 million euros (5).
Intangible costs: These are related to employee burnout, management overload, the risk of conflict, damage to the brand image, loss of customers, etc.

"In 2010, 9.7 million workdays were lost due to recognized occupational diseases, at a cost of 930 million euros."

Employee health plays a major role in a company’s economic performance: healthy employees are absent less often, are more fulfilled, and are more productive. Employers therefore have every reason to implement measures designed to prevent occupational hazards.

Improving Workplace Ergonomics: A Practical Solution for Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders

As part of an occupational risk prevention strategy, the first step is to assess the risks to which employees are exposed. The assessment is documented in the “single document,” which also outlines the preventive measures selected based on the identified risks (6). Preventive measures may include stretching exercises, flexible work schedules, or the design of ergonomic workstations.

Although it is not the only solution, workplace ergonomics is one of the most effective ways to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Even on a limited budget, you can use ergonomic accessories to reorganize your desk and thereby reduce the most common types of pain. A document holder, for example, is an accessory placed between the monitor and the keyboard so that documents are directly within your field of vision, which reduces strain on the neck and limits eye strain.

An ergonomic workstation consisting of an ergonomic chair, a center pointer, and a document holder

"Even on a limited budget, you can use ergonomic accessories to reorganize your desk and thereby reduce the most common aches and pains."

If you have a slightly larger budget, purchasinga chair with numerous adjustment options can significantly improve comfort at your workstation. In fact, the way you sit in a chair is all too often a source of back, shoulder, or leg pain—especially if you remain in the same position all day long. A chair with an adjustable seat, backrest, and armrests allows the user to adapt it to their body type and adopt a more relaxed position.

What’s more, you can easily improve your performance and well-being at work with a few simple tips and by adopting good habits. Make sure your screen is positioned correctly, move your phone closer so it’s within easy reach, and pay attention to your posture… Finally, even when you’re comfortably seated at your desk, don’t forget to take regular breaks to stretch and relax.

Find the ideal ergonomic solutions for preventing musculoskeletal disorders in our article “Office Ergonomics: What Tools Should You Use to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders?”

Ergonomics and the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders: What Are the Challenges for Businesses?

Is work good for your health?

High Costs for Businesses

Improving Workplace Ergonomics: A Practical Solution for Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders

Further Reading