The Overlooked Role of Non-Physical Risk Factors in the Workplace

Musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs, are both pervasive and complex, and affect nearly one-quarter of the world’s population. These injuries result from exposures to repetitive movements, awkward or static postures, and forceful exertions, and include issues like tendinitis, back strains and sprains, and carpal tunnel syndrome. But research suggests there's more to MSD prevention than addressing physical risk factors. To truly safeguard the workforce, it's crucial to acknowledge and mitigate non-physical risk factors as well.

Recently, the MSD Solutions Lab, a groundbreaking National Safety Council initiative established in 2021 with funding from Amazon to solve work-related MSDs, released a new white paper, Accounting for Non-Physical Risk Factors in MSD Prevention. Recognizing that a more holistic approach to assessing the most common workplace injury was needed, the report not only explores the impact of non-physical risk factors on workers, but offers solutions for employers to implement and help improve workplace safety.

What Are Non-Physical Risk Factors?

Non-physical risk factors can be just as influential as physical ones in contributing to MSDs. They can be broadly grouped into organizational, psychosocial and behavioral categories:

Organizational risk factors include work organization, job control, job security and training. For example, long working hours, lack of job autonomy or inadequate staffing can all increase the likelihood of MSDs developing.

Psychosocial risk factors relate to mental health and job satisfaction, such as job stress, perceived support from supervisors or mental workload. High job stress or poor support at work can exacerbate the risk of MSDs.

Behavioral risk factors involve personal habits and lifestyles such as sleep habits, alcohol or tobacco use, and physical activity. Sleep deprivation, for instance, is linked to an increased chance of injury.

Impact of Non-Physical Risk Factors on MSDs

Why should employers care about non-physical risk factors? Research shows that addressing these factors can lead to reduced injury rates, improved job satisfaction and increased productivity. Workers in environments with high job stress, inadequate support or poor work-life balance are not only at higher risk for MSDs but are also more likely to experience burnout, absenteeism and turnover.

One important study (Marras et al., 2000) demonstrated that stress increases biomechanical strain during physical tasks, meaning that workers under stress are more likely to suffer MSDs even when performing routine movements. Addressing non-physical risks can therefore mitigate both the physical and psychological toll of work on employees.

Why Non-Physical Risk Management Matters

Traditional MSD prevention programs tend to focus on ergonomics and physical solutions, such as adjusting workstations or improving lifting techniques. While these are important, they only address part of the problem. Ignoring the organizational, psychosocial and behavioral factors that contribute to MSDs means missing an opportunity to prevent injuries more holistically.

Organizations that successfully tackle non-physical risks enjoy benefits beyond just injury reduction. By fostering a supportive and health-conscious work environment, companies can improve employee retention and productivity, lower healthcare costs, and create a more engaged workforce.

Practical Steps Employers Can Take to Manage Non-Physical Risk Factors

There are several ways employers can help mitigate non-physical risk factors:

1. Offer training: Provide supervisory training to address organizational issues, such as justice, safety climate and personal treatment

2. Promote job control: Give employees autonomy over their tasks to reduce job strain

3. Encourage open communication: Foster a supportive culture where workers feel safe reporting issues without fear of retribution

4. Address job stress: Implement stress management programs and ensure workloads are manageable

5. Support healthy behaviors: Offer wellness programs that focus on sleep, nutrition and physical activity

In the evolving landscape of MSD prevention, it's clear that non-physical risk factors must be part of the conversation. By addressing these factors, employers not only improve worker safety but also cultivate a healthier, more productive workforce. The future of workplace safety lies in a holistic approach that balances both physical and non-physical risks. That way, workers can live their fullest lives – on and off the clock. 

To learn more about the MSD Solutions Lab and help us achieve our goal of preventing MSDs, visit nsc.org/msd. 

REFERENCES
Marras, W. S., Davis, K. G., Heaney, C. A., Maronitis, A. B., & Allread, W. G. (2000). The influence of psychosocial stress, gender, and personality on mechanical loading of the lumbar spine. Spine, 25(23), 3045-3054.