Protecting your workforce starts with understanding the link between ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). By addressing the mismatch between our bodies and the tools/tasks we use daily, you can significantly reduce the risk of MSDs. This proactive approach not only safeguards employee health but also boosts productivity and minimizes costly workplace injuries.
What Are Musculoskeletal Disorders, or MSDs?
Musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs, refer to injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, blood vessels, nerves and other soft tissues. While you may not have heard of MSDs, you may have heard of one of the many names they can also go by, including:
- Sprains and strains,
- Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs),
- Repetitive motion injuries (RMIs)
- Cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), and
- Overuse syndrome.
MSDs can also be named based on the injury itself – Do the names carpal tunnel syndrome, golfer’s elbow, rotator cuff injury or tendinitis ring any bells? The number of names that MSDs can go by illustrate the variety of injuries and disorders that fall into this category, and how MSD prevention is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
The Hidden Cost of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
Sprains and strains are the most common nature of injury listed in claims filled with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). From 2015 to 2024, sprains and strains accounted for 258,188 of all allowed claims, with an average of 35 days lost per claim. The total benefit cost of these claims? Over $2.04 billion![1]
The year-by-year data is also telling. In 2024, sprains and strains were:
- The most common nature of injury (26,251 allowed claims),
- The highest associated total claim cost (over $89.4 million), and
- Had an average of 16 days lost per claim.
What’s even more alarming is the wide-sweeping impact across all industries – From offices, hospitals and retail environments to manufacturing, mining, construction and everything in between, MSDs are present. They also don’t discriminate based on age – From the newest hire to long-term employee, anyone can be at risk of developing an MSD.
Understanding the Link Between Workplace Design and MSDs
Generally, most people only associate the three primary risk factors with the development of MSDs:
- Awkward and/or Static Postures: Awkward postures occur as you move a body part toward it’s end range of motion (i.e. bending over to pick up a box from the floor, or working above shoulder height), while static postures occur as you hold a position for a period of time. Both can overload body tissues. The more awkward the posture, or the longer a posture is held, the greater the risk of injury.
- Force: Force is the amount of effort required to move or use objects, tools or your own body. The greater the amount of effort required to complete a task, the greater the risk of injury.
- Frequency: Frequency is the number of times a task is performed in a period of time. Completing the same task (or similar tasks) repeatedly causes the same tissues to be used without adequate recovery time. The more frequently a task is completed, the greater the risk of injury.
However, there are additional secondary risk factors that have been identified:
- Contact Stress: When an object, tool or piece of equipment puts pressure on a small area of the body over a period of time or repeatedly, this is contact stress. Examples of this would be kneeling on the ground while cleaning, the edge of a desk pressing against your wrist and forearm while working on the computer, or the base of a screwdriver handle pressing into your palm.
- Vibration: Vibration is a rapid pulsating, shaking or tremor-like movement often associated with power tools, vehicles or other heavy machinery. There are two vibration hazards associated with MSDs: Hand-arm vibration (i.e. use of a handheld power tool), or whole-body vibration (i.e. operating mobile equipment).
- Temperature: Since cold temperatures can cause numbness in the extremities, workers often overestimate the amount of force required to complete a task, causing additional stress on the surrounding tissues. On the other hand, hot temperatures can cause soft tissues to fatigue more quickly, making them more susceptible to overloading and injury.
- Lighting: Insufficient and excessive lighting can cause issues – Whether it’s trying to read a placard on a machine in a low-light environment or trying to avoid glare while working on a computer, both lighting scenarios can lead to workers adopting awkward postures to compensate.
- Psychosocial Factors: This is an umbrella term that refers to the social, cultural and environmental factors that can influence an individual’s mental state and behaviour,[2] and includes categories such as balance, engagement, organizational culture, and protection of physical and psychological safety. When these psychosocial factors are lacking or absent, the workers may experience stress.[3] This stress can then lead to behavioural and physiological responses such as increased muscle tension, use of excessive force, reduced frequency of breaks, and rushing to complete tasks quickly, thereby making them more susceptible to injury.
Recognizing the Warning Signs: Common Symptoms of MSDs
Given the variety of disorders and injuries that fall into this category, signs and symptoms can vary depending on the tissue and region of the body affected. However, common signs and symptoms can include, but are not limited to:
- Pain, discomfort or a dull ache
- Numbness, tingling or burning sensations
- Redness, bruising or other changes in skin colour
- Inflammation or swelling
- Joint stiffness
- Loss of muscle strength, or muscles fatigue more quickly
Protect Your Workforce: Partner with ECOH for Ergonomic Solutions
MSDs can have a significant impact on productivity, employee morale, and your bottom line. Don’t wait for injuries to occur – be proactive about creating a safer and healthier workplace.
ECOH’s Occupational Health and Safety Group specializes in ergonomics. We help you reduce work-related MSDs by:
- Conducting surveys to address employee concerns and identify potential hazards
- Assisting in the development, review, and implementation of ergonomics-related health and safety policies, programs, and procedures
- Proposing options to improve workplace ergonomics.
Our ergonomic experts are ready to help you build a safer, healthier workplace. Let’s talk!
[1] WSIB Ontario. (2025, January 31). Health and Safety Statistics. Safety Check.
[2] Samra, J., Stuart, H., Bilsker, D., Shain, M., & Glibert, M. (2022). Understand factors and hazards. Guarding Minds at Work.
[3] Canadian Standards Association. (2022). Psychological health and safety in the workplace – Prevention, promotion and guidance to staged implementation (CSA Standard No. Z1003-13).
