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Musculoskeletal health in the workplace 

Discover practical strategies to prevent workplace musculoskeletal injuries, support employee wellbeing and boost productivity.

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What employers can do 

As an employer, you can use these strategies to help prevent and manage MSK conditions in your workplace. 

Minimise MSK risks
  • Provide training about MSK health, such as manual handling. You should also carry out display screen equipment (DSE) assessments where necessary. 
  • Appoint employee wellbeing champions to promote MSK health. There are many free online resources and toolkits available to support them.  
Encourage healthy behaviours at work
  • Use wellbeing surveys to identify risks and work with employees to address them
  • Stress can cause muscle tension and unhealthy behaviours like skipping breaks. Visit our stress page to find strategies to reduce workplace stress. 
  • Maintaining a healthy weight can lower the risk of MSK conditions. Visit our Healthy Eating page to find ways to promote healthy eating in your workplace. 
Support employees with MSK conditions
  • Train managers to have open conversations about MSK conditions. This will encourage early reporting and solutions. 
  • Work with employees to review their needs and make reasonable adjustments. This could include changes to workstations, roles or schedules. 
  • Support employees to manage their conditions by allowing time for health appointments and encouraging healthy behaviours
  • Refer employees to occupational health advisers for tailored advice on workplace adjustments. Find out how In Work support services can support employees 
  • Provide specialist equipment, such as standing desks or ergonomic tools, to support employees. Explore funding options like the Access to Work grant. 

Page last reviewed: 26th March 2025

A close up of a person receiving physiotherapy on their arm