How Employers Can Address the Risks of Musculoskeletal Injuries
Musculoskeletal Injuries are common, costly, and preventable. Learn about the risks and how injury prevention can protect your workforce and your bottom line.
November 4, 2025
What Are Musculoskeletal (MSK) Injuries and Why They’re a Problem You Can’t Ignore
Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries affect the muscles, bones, tendons, cartilage, and nerves. They often result from repetitive motions, awkward postures, muscular fatigue, heavy lifting, or prolonged strain on the body.
These injuries are among the most common workplace issues, showing up as sprains, strains, tears, or conditions like carpal tunnel. And while they’re easy to associate with physically demanding jobs, the reality is that anyone who sits for long periods, works at a computer, or performs repetitive tasks is at risk.
The danger is that MSK problems often start small and get overlooked. Left unaddressed, they can snowball into more serious injuries. A sore ankle can lead to hip stiffness or knee issues; a tight back can become chronic pain. The result? The possibility of developing long-term conditions that reduce mobility, lower productivity, and create significant costs for both employees and employers.
Insight: OSHA’s list of occupations at highest risk of MSK includes jobs such as:
Janitors and cleaners
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
Refuse and recyclable material collectors
Stock clerks and order fillers
Light truck or delivery services drivers
Telecommunications line installers and repairers
Bus drivers, transit, and intercity
Production workers
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
Maintenance and repair workers, general
How MSK Injuries Impact Your Business
MSK injuries aren’t just a health issue; they’re a business issue. Consider the following data:
Widespread prevalence: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly half of the 2.14 million DART injuries from 2021–2022 were musculoskeletal in nature.
A growing healthcare burden: United Healthcare reports that MSK conditions affect 1 in 2 Americans and are the top contributor to employer healthcare costs.
High cost to employers: According to Kaiser Permanente, 75% of employers rank musculoskeletal conditions among the top two health conditions driving their costs.
Lost productivity and turnover: The National Safety Council notes that MSK disorders are the leading cause of disability, early retirement, and limitations to gainful employment—costing businesses billions in lost productivity, workers’ compensation, absenteeism, presenteeism, and turnover.
Employee well-being at risk: A 2024 Hinge Health survey found that 27% of employees say MSK pain decreases their productivity at work, and nearly half (47%) report that pain prevents them from living life to the fullest.
For industries like construction, manufacturing, and petrochemical, where physical strain is common, the risks and costs are even higher.
Best Practices for Employers to Address MSK Injuries
The good news is that employers can take proactive steps to reduce the risk of MSK injuries in the workplace:
Prioritize risk for MSK injury: Utilize ergonomic assessments to identify and address high-risk areas, and then implement solutions such as adjustable seating, lifting aids, or improved workstation layouts.
Injury prevention assessments: Evaluate high-risk, physically demanding roles to identify and address hazards before they cause injury.
Wellness and movement programs: Encourage stretching, microbreaks, and early intervention when pain arises.
Training programs: Provide instruction on proper lifting techniques, posture, and safe movement strategies.
Hazard communication: Educate employees about ergonomic and job-related risks that can lead to MSK injuries.
By combining these practices, employers not only protect employees but also reduce long-term costs tied to workplace injuries.
How CAREonsite Can Help
Every day an MSK injury goes unaddressed, it puts your employees at risk and your business on the line. CAREonsite helps you stay ahead of the problem with access to Musculoskeletal Intervention Specialists (MIS) who deliver practical solutions when and where you need them.
Early Intervention: Address aches and pains before they escalate into costly injuries.
Ergonomic Guidance: Identify, prioritize, and resolve workplace risks with expert ergonomic assessments and tailored solutions that help eliminate injury risk.
Wellness Support: We work with you to deliver custom wellness strategies that support health, wellness, recovery, and resilience.
Prevention and Testing: Conduct task-specific analysis and assessments to catch hazards before they lead to injury.
With CAREonsite, you don’t just react to injuries, you build a healthier, safer workplace that keeps your people performing at their best. Learn more by clicking this link.
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