Preventing MSD risks in the workplace

Why prevent MSDs?

In the case of MSDs, the adage “Prevention is better than cure” takes on its full meaning. Indeed, the financial cost for an employer who has to deal with an MSD is enormous compared to the cost of implementing a prevention plan.

While it is estimated that an occupational disease affecting a single employee’s shoulder costs the employer more than €50,000, the implementation of simple handling aid solutions represents only a few thousand euros for all employees.

Moreover, the hazards related to absences, productivity decreases and work-related malaise must be added as invisible but very real costs for companies.

Based on this observation, it is essential for any company manager to fight upstream against the appearance of MSDs!

Occupational constraints that favour the appearance of MSDs

Physical factors are most often the cause of MSDs.

First of all, there are biomechanical constraints with operators who work in extreme postures (working with arms above the shoulders, movements with high joint constraints (twisting of the wrist or trunk).

If we add weight to these movements, the risk of MSDs is multiplied. Typical examples of these “accidents” are cardboard picked up from the floor, panels carried in an awkward posture, loads with difficult grips such as bags stored on pallets or packages stored on high shelves.

When workstation movements are performed repetitively, even with light loads or no weight at all, the risk is also very present. Indeed, the joints are very sensitive to the repetitiveness of gestures and postures!

Psychosocial and organizational factors are also at the origin of MSDs. For example, low social support at work, high organizational demand, working under time pressure, working in a cold zone, etc.

Mobilize internal teams with a project supported by management

MSD prevention requires a commitment from management. The latter must understand the stakes and adhere to the prevention approach.

The employer must therefore provide the human, financial and time resources necessary to implement a genuine prevention policy.

To ensure that the resources and ambitions correspond to the needs of the operational staff, it will be essential to involve the various departments, the staff representatives, the CHSCT and/or the staff representative bodies as well as the occupational health service.

Finally, to avoid fumbling around, spending unnecessary energy or even making mistakes, call on organizations dedicated to these issues (CARSAT/CRAM/CGSS, IPRP, ergonomic consultants, ARACT, etc.).

Equip yourself with manual handling assistance solutions

Manual handling is a determining risk factor for the development of MSDs.

In order to limit the risks for employees as much as possible, companies are equipping themselves with handling assistance solutions. There are many solutions that correspond to the different types of handling: lifting, depositing, moving, pivoting, turning, etc.

It is crucial to choose tools that are suitable for operations, but also to choose tools that are designed to meet the most demanding ergonomic standards.

Be accompanied in these choices to avoid investing in equipment that will be little, not or badly used!