As we touched upon in a previous blog post, over 511,000 UK workers reported experiencing a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) in the last year.
Of the total number of cases, 173,000 accounted for new MSD injuries within the past year. The lost working days with new and existing cases combined amounted to 7.1 million days.
As a result, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) continue to be one of the top causes of lost working days in the UK.
Musculoskeletal disorders can cover many different conditions. However, they commonly describe ailments such as back pain, joint problems and repetitive strain injuries.
As we look to 2026 and beyond, UK employers must prioritise proactive strategies to prevent MSDs. Not only is this important for reducing costs for businesses, but also for improving employee wellbeing.
At Metreel, we supply cranes and other overhead lifting systems that boost safety and productivity by reducing the need for manual handling.
While not intended as a substitute for independent health and safety advice, here is an overview of what musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are and how work-related incidents can be reduced in your workplace.
What Are Musculoskeletal Disorders?
Musculoskeletal disorders cover over 150 individual conditions. However, they are classed as conditions which affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, joints and spinal discs. MSDs develop gradually from repetitive movements, poor posture or heavy lifting and often worsen over time.
Common examples include:
- Lower back pain
- Neck and shoulder strain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendonitis and bursitis
Left unaddressed, MSDs can lead to chronic pain, long term absence and increased costs for businesses.
Why MSD Prevention Matters in 2026
First and foremost, all types of musculoskeletal disorders have a human cost. Namely, they cause extreme discomfort and result in a reduced quality of life for employees.
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must assess and mitigate risks related to manual handling and ergonomic hazards.
Reducing workplace-related MSDs is not only a statutory duty, but it can also work to protect the interests of the business. That’s because addressing MSDs is not only a legal requirement, but the issue costs the UK economy billions in lost productivity each year.
Key Strategies To Prevent MSDs In The Workplace
As the saying goes, ‘prevention is better than the cure’, and this is certainly true for preventing workplace-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Employers, along with all those responsible for safety in the workplace, must take proactive steps to reduce injuries. It remains crucial to study the data applicable to your workplace and industry to identify where improvements are most needed.
However, the following steps offer some essential starting points.
Conduct Regular Risk Assessments
Every effort to reduce injuries in the workplace must start with a risk assessment. The purpose of risk assessments is to identify high risk tasks and review work processes regularly.
Risk assessments should be carried out regularly to identify general risks that are present based on the application and environment. However, certain tasks also require an independent risk assessment (i.e. lifting tasks).
Additionally, MSD risk assessments can be included as part of annual health and safety audits. To maximise the outcome of any efforts, ensure employees are consulted to gain their feedback on their work setup, including whether there are any areas for concern.
Safe Manual Handling Practices
It is essential that staff are trained on proper lifting techniques. However, manual handling in itself is only considered safe up to a certain point.
Heavy loads require the use of mechanical aids like trolley systems, overhead cranes or workstation cranes to reduce manual lifting.
Limit repetitive lifting tasks or rotate duties to prevent overuse injuries. Whenever possible, use mechanical lifting or automation to reduce physical strain on employees.
Ergonomic Workstation Design
Although desk work might not seem as risky as working within a construction, manufacturing or warehousing environment, poor ergonomics while working at a computer can still lead to serious musculoskeletal disorders.
For this reason, it’s imperative that desks, chairs and computer screens are properly adjusted to suit the individual height of the employee. Advice on maintaining good posture while working at a desk should also be given.
Sit-stand workstations can provide an option to alternate between sitting and standing, which can also have positive benefits for productivity and wellbeing.
Encourage Movement and Stretching
Employees should refrain from sitting down or remaining in the same position for too long.
Promote short breaks for stretching, especially for desk based roles. Also, encourage employees to vary tasks to avoid prolonged static postures.
To reduce the potential for neck and back pain in particular, workplace exercise programmes can also be introduced. These can consist of targeted movements and stretching to alleviate discomfort and also encourage better posture throughout the day.
Use Technology and Automation
In roles which require any material handling, implement motorised reeling drums, hoists or conveyor systems to minimise manual handling.
Additionally, consider investing in collaborative robots (cobots) for repetitive or heavy tasks.
Employees can also be given wearable tech to monitor posture and movement patterns.
Training and Culture
Ultimately, preventing workplace-related MSDs isn’t just about equipment, it’s also about culture.
Employers should look to instil a safety culture in their workplaces to reduce injuries and illnesses which can occur due to repetitive strain, accidents or improper use of equipment.
Offering regular training in ergonomics and safe handling can help improve awareness of the actions which help to reduce workplace-related injuries.
Additionally, employers should encourage reporting of discomfort early to prevent long-term injuries. Championing safe practices and ergonomic improvements across teams also remains an essential tool to reduce injuries across the board.
A Final Takeaway For Employers
UK businesses can no longer treat MSDs as “just part of the job.” In 2026, prevention strategies should be proactive, data-driven and integrated into daily operations.
By doing so, employers can reduce absenteeism and improve productivity. Having lower rates of workplace-related injuries is also important for boosting employee engagement and retention, making it an issue that all employers should be prioritising.
Improve Your Workplace Lifting Capabilities With Metreel Cranes
Does your business undertake any lifting tasks? Lifting heavy loads or repetitive lifting tasks can result in musculoskeletal injuries and disorders.
Metreel can improve safety in your UK workplace through our range of mechanical handling solutions. One of our key specialisms is workplace cranes, including floor mounted, ceiling mounted and mobile cranes.
To discuss your material handling requirements with our team, please send us a message or give us a call on 0115 647 0157.