Contact us
Home > Organisations > Healthy Workplace > Healthy Workplace Toolkit > Additional Topics > Protect musculoskeletal health in the workforce

Protect musculoskeletal health in the workforce

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, such as back pain, repetitive strain injuries, and joint issues, are one of the leading causes of workplace absence and reduced productivity.

Being sedentary in the workplace, poor posture and repetitive tasks are all factors that can contribute to the development and worsening of MSK issues.

By taking positive, practical and proactive steps, employers can create a healthier environment that reduces and prevents MSK issues whilst successfully supporting staff who are already affected.

How to achieve this:

 

Further Information:

Encourage regular movement throughout the day:

  • Promote a “sit less, move more” culture
  • Encourage staff to take regular breaks to stretch and change position
  • Encourage standing meetings, walking meetings, walking breaks etc
  • Promote stretching at regular intervals throughout the day
  • Offer regular person-led mobility/yoga/stretching sessions – is there a specific staff member who could take the lead?
  • Look into the use of calendar prompts to remind staff to get up and move after specific periods of inactivity

Helpful Resources:

healthy cornwall staff member sat on bike on penzance promenade, text reads "Healthy Workplace Toolkit - Getting Active and Active Travel" 


Provide access to support:

  • Include a specific section on MSK health in your health/occupational health policies
  • Do you have occupational health support in place for those dealing with MSK issues? Access to physio appointments etc
  • Signpost to NHS and other local services and support groups
  • Allow time for staff to attend MSK based health appointments

Helpful Resources:

a person holding one of their wrists in pain, text reads "HSE - advice for workers with msk disorders"


Train managers to recognise MSK risks and increase confidence in supporting MSK issues:

  • Look into training for line managers to help them identify workplace risks and early signs of MSK issues
  • Create a supportive environment where open conversations about discomfort, pain and other aspects of MSK conditions are encouraged
  • Managers are trained and have the knowledge and confidence to successfully support those with MSK issues in the workplace to manage their conditions, and put in place appropriate reasonable adjustments for the individual
  • Include MSK health in 1:1s
  • Managers should ensure that remote workers have up to date DSE assessments and regular wellbeing check-ins

Helpful Resources:

man sat at desk in front of computer in suit, holding shoulder in pain, text reads "NHS Employers - musculoskeletal health in the workplace" manager speaking with staff member, text reads "Bupa - supporting your teams msk health" warehopuse worker leaning on boxes and holding lower back in pain, text reads "BITC - musculoskeletal health toolkit for employers"


Workspaces are built with MSK in mind and ergonomics are provided where appropriate:

  • Are sit-stand desks, anti-fatigue mats, and other ergonomic tools made available?
  • Provide adjustable chairs, desks, and monitor stands to support staff posture
  • Conduct regular workstation assessments for all staff, including those working remotely
  • Regularly survey/assess employees to receive their input in the tools and resources available to ensure needs are being met
  • Are all manual handling tasks risk-assessed? Do staff receive training?

Helpful Resources:

woman sat using a computer, text reads "HSE - working safely with dse"