Preventing MSDs, a sustainable HR performance challenge

Analyses

4 minutes

30 April 2026

Despite the increasing focus on mental health, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) remain the leading cause of disability in the workplace on a global scale. In France, the situation is clear: 88% of occupational diseases compensated by the general regime are MSDs. If the manufacturing industry and construction particularly expose men, the health and social action sector further weakens women, who are generally more affected by these pathologies.

Beyond statistics, it is professional disengagement that is threatening. For the employee, these issues result in a deterioration of quality of life (chronic pain, disabilities). For the company, the cost is twofold: human and financial.

A massive financial and operational impact

The impact on productivity is massive. TMS represent today 30% of sick leave , which is the equivalent of 22 million days of work lost. The direct cost for businesses amounts to 2 billion euros .

When recognized as work-related accidents or occupational diseases, MSDs directly impact your contribution rate, representing nearly 2 billion euros contributed in recent years. In addition to this, there are indirect costs, often underestimated but significant:

  • Disorganization of production flows

  • Increase in turnover

  • Difficulties in recruiting for physically demanding positions

  • Loss of critical know-how due to early departures

Musculoskeletal disorders are often associated with the lifting of heavy loads by manual workers or laborers. Reality is more nuanced. From sedentary office workers suffering from neck pain to hospital staff, no employee is safe.

If prevention is a legal obligation in terms of health and safety, it also falls into a grey area. MSDs often result from a bidirectional interaction: poor posture at the office worsens a personal pathology, and vice versa. The employer must therefore act on the work environment to minimize these risks as much as possible.

Un patient et son kinésithérapeute font des exercices de prévention

4 pillars to stem the wave of MSDs

  1. Exploiting the data to act with precision.  
    The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders increases with age and shows gender disparities: 60% of active women suffer from at least one disorder, compared to 54% of men. The detailed analysis of your claims data is an essential starting point. At Howden, we don't just read your reports: we compare your compensation claims to national benchmarks. This allows us to identify if your teams are more prone to back pain or carpal tunnel syndrome, and to recommend targeted interventions rather than general measures.

     

  2. Prioritize high-impact interventions.  
    Regulatory compliance is the foundation, but the results lie in adapting to your structure and your activity. Encourage movement: sit-stand desks, active meetings or corporate sports. In some cases, health assessments are relevant to identify future disorders. The essential thing is cultural adequacy. An effective solution in Paris may not necessarily be effective abroad. Our local roots allow us to adjust each program to the reality and needs of the field.

     

  3. Customize the communication  
    Many employees suffer in silence due to ignorance of solutions or fear of being seen in a negative light. Education is one of the best tools to implement, and informing employees without patronizing them is key. Be creative: where digital communication may be overwhelming, traditional signage in break areas becomes relevant again. The challenge is to meet the teams at their workplace. using, for example, national awareness days as catalysts.

     

  4. Measure, learn, and iterate.  
    La prévention n'est pas un projet ponctuel, mais un cycle continu. Ce qui fonctionne aujourd'hui devra être réévalué demain. Grâce à nos études, nous aidons les dirigeants à aligner leurs priorités sur les besoins réels des salariés. Investing in musculoskeletal health is a win-win choice. : vous protégez votre capital humain tout en optimisant vos coûts d'assurance et votre productivité.

 

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Our team of experts supports companies of all sizes, in France and internationally, to transform their social benefits into real prevention tools. Contact us for a personalized analysis.

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