Inside MSD Pledge member Kenco's approach to worker wellbeing, employee engagement and continuous improvement.
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including back strains, tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, are the most common workplace injury, affecting millions of workers each year. In logistics and warehousing, where employees frequently lift, move, carry and handle products, the risks associated with repetitive motion and overexertion are especially significant.
At Kenco, we believe preventing these injuries requires understanding how work is performed, listening to employees and continuously looking for opportunities to make jobs safer.
That's why Kenco joined the National Safety Council MSD Pledge community. The MSD Pledge aligns with our commitment to reducing injury risks, strengthening our safety culture and ensuring employees can go home healthy and whole at the end of every shift.
In May, we were pleased to host members of the Council’s MSD Solutions Lab at our Hutchins, Texas facility. During the visit, NSC saw firsthand how our teams at Kenco work together to identify risks, improve processes and support worker wellbeing through practical MSD prevention strategies.
Safety Is a Daily Conversation
At Kenco, safety begins on day one and continues throughout an employee's career. It is reinforced through daily safety huddles, frequent training sessions, site visits, safety stand-downs and ongoing conversations between employees, supervisors and safety professionals.
Over the years, our safety culture has evolved from a reactive approach to one focused on prevention, engagement and continuous improvement. Today, employees have multiple ways to share concerns and help shape safety initiatives. Whether through communication boards, reporting systems, work groups or direct conversations, employee feedback plays a critical role in identifying and addressing risks.
Some of our most effective improvements have started with frontline employees who understand the work better than anyone else.
Focusing on the Risks That Matter Most
In logistics operations, many tasks involve repetitive movements, lifting and material handling. Over time, these activities can place strain on the body and increase the risk of MSDs.
Rather than accepting those risks as unavoidable, we look for ways to reduce them. That may involve evaluating job tasks, implementing job rotation, redesigning workflows, modifying equipment or introducing ergonomic improvements. We use ergonomic assessment tools and data-driven analysis to better understand where risk factors exist and how they can be addressed.
Technology also plays an important role. Kenco has incorporated artificial intelligence to help identify ergonomic risk factors and provide insights into worker movements and job tasks. Combined with employee feedback and observations from the warehouse floor, these tools help us better understand potential hazards and make informed decisions about reducing injury risks.
Supporting the Whole Worker
One of the most impactful additions to our safety program has been our athletic trainer initiative. What began with a single athletic trainer has expanded significantly because of the value it created for employees. Athletic trainers provide ergonomic support, stretching programs, wellness education and early intervention when employees experience discomfort or strain.
Just as importantly, they help build trust. Our athletic trainers spend time on the warehouse floor, building relationships and helping employees develop safe work habits both on and off the job. Their role reinforces an important principle: workplace safety and worker wellbeing are closely connected.
The Value of the MSD Pledge Community
Joining the MSD Pledge was an important step in our safety journey. We ask our employees every day to work safely and look out for one another. Participating in the MSD Pledge reflects our commitment to doing the same as an organization.
The MSD Solutions Lab has provided valuable resources, research and opportunities to learn from other employers facing similar challenges. Through the MSD Solutions Index, we can benchmark progress, set goals and hold ourselves accountable.
One of the greatest benefits of the MSD Pledge community is the opportunity to share ideas. There is no single solution to prevent MSDs. Every organization faces different challenges, and we all benefit when employers exchange lessons learned and practical strategies that help protect workers.
Looking Forward
Every day presents an opportunity to learn, improve and strengthen our culture. By listening to employees, embracing innovation and investing in worker wellbeing, we remain focused on reducing MSD risks and supporting the people who make our business possible.
Watch this video to learn more about how Kenco puts MSD prevention and worker wellbeing into practice every day. To join the growing MSD Pledge community and access resources to help protect workers, visit nsc.org/msdpledge.
With a century-long legacy, the National Safety Council is a global center for safety expertise. Let's work together to align resources. We look forward to learning about ways we can join efforts to expand safety everywhere!
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