6 mistakes to avoid when implementing an MSD prevention

1/ Failure to mobilize the company around a single project

Preventing musculoskeletal disorders requires a commitment on the part of the head of the company and the human resources department. They must :

• Understand the challenges for the company and its employees;
• Identify the necessary resources: human, financial, and time-related;
• Implement action plans in the company's various units, through managers, employee representatives, the occupational health department, etc.
• Contact external organizations that can help with funding (e.g., Carsat)
  
  

2/ Failing to train employees

A well-informed employee will be far more effective in preventing the risk of MSDs.
Training is not just about risk prevention, but also about helping employees to change their working practices.
And the earlier you detect MSD pathologies, the fewer irremediable consequences there will be on employee health (and company finances).

3/ Underestimating the strategic repercussions of MSDs

According to Ameli.fr, by 2023, the direct cost of MSDs to companies will have risen to almost 2 billion euros through their occupational accident and disease (AT/MP) contributions.

And, of course, all the ensuing problems: deterioration in the social climate, damage to the company's image in the eyes of its customers, loss of attractiveness to job applicants, etc.

4/ Interpreting prevention as an obstacle to performance

Many companies pit prevention against profitability.
As a result, prevention is more often undergone than chosen. Indeed, many companies prefer to avoid losses, rather than think in terms of gains.

In the case of MSDs, prevention measures benefit all employees.

5/ Neglecting the impact on team organization

MSDs, such as back, shoulder or wrist pain, can lead to repeated absenteeism.
Depending on the employee's position, it may be difficult to replace him or her, leading to work disorganization.

What's more, this imposes an extra workload on the remaining employees. In the long term, the consequences can be serious:

• dilution of skills,
• high training costs,
• and incompressible delays in training new employees
  
  

6/ Wait for the first consequences before taking action

Implement a preventive approach before the appearance of employee complaints, or effects on organization or production.

Being proactive helps limit the effects of MSDs for the company and its employees.

Find out more about our solutions for reducing work-related distress in our e-book