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MSD Solutions Commons

A Community-Powered Library for Workplace Safety & Health

The MSD Solutions Commons is a community-powered digital library offering resources to prevent and address musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the workplace. Drawing on expertise from industry leaders, ergo experts, and safety and health professionals, the Commons delivers practical strategies and curated solutions for identifying and mitigating ergonomic and MSD risks, including case studies showcasing innovative technologies and approaches to MSD prevention.  

The Commons serves as a central hub for those seeking to implement safety measures, understand current research, or explore viable solutions to transform workplace safety, strengthen workplace ergonomics and reduce the impact of MSDs.

Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common workplace injury

29.6% of nonfatal
work injuries 
in the US are 
caused by MSDs
140 weeks of
missed work
due to back pain caused by 
high physical load
over 40-year career
619 million people
affected by
lower back pain
in 2020,
with more every year
$18 billion per year
cost to US businesses in 
lost wages and
healthcare due to
workplace injuries
$1 billion per week
cost to US businesses
due to workplace injuries

Featured Solutions

Learn about the use of wearable sensor gloves to measure and reduce hand-arm vibration exposure.

Learn about the use of wearable sensors and participatory ergonomics to assess ergonomic risk and develop solutions.

MSD Pledge in Action: Advancing Workplace Safety

YouTube Video

MSD Pledge members — including global companies like Cargill and family-run businesses like Wyffels Hybrids — are taking action to reduce musculoskeletal disorders.

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Implementation of Video Motion Capture Technology for Manufacturing Ergonomics Assessment

As an awardee in the MSD Solutions Lab's 2024-2025 Pilot Grant program, this case study details how Superior Tube Products partnered with 3motionAI and used its video motion capture technology to quantify the impact of existing safety programs and create actionable data to drive ergonomic solutions for all employees.

Manufacturing Awkward postures/excessive bending or twists Forceful exertions Pushing or pulling Repetitive activities (non-computer related) Organizational factors Artificial intelligence Computer vision Software

Wearable Technology and Video Analysis to Measure and Mitigate Hand-Arm Vibration Exposure in Industrial Maintenance Tasks

As an awardee in the MSD Solutions Lab's 2024-2025 Pilot Grant program, this case study details how Ocean Spray Cranberries worked with Feraru Dynamics LTD to measure and mitigate hand-arm vibration exposures among power tool operators.

Manufacturing Agriculture Forestry Fishing and Hunting Transportation and Warehousing Hand-arm vibration Wearable sensors Software

Wearable Sensor Technology, Data Analytics and Ergonomic Learning Teams to Identify, Mitigate Ergonomic Risks in Beverage Manufacturing

As an awardee in the MSD Solutions Lab's 2024-2025 Pilot Grant program, this case study details how PepsiCo Global Concentrates teamed up with LifeBooster to collect and analyze ergonomic risk data, form ergonomic learning teams and identify upper-extremity MSD mitigation strategies.

Manufacturing Transportation and Warehousing Awkward postures/excessive bending or twists Forceful exertions Pushing or pulling Repetitive activities (non-computer related) Organizational factors Wearable sensors Software

Wearable Sensor Technology and Data Analytics to Identify and Prioritize Ergonomic Risks in Baking Operations

As an awardee in the MSD Solutions Lab's 2024-2025 Pilot Grant program, this case study details how Wonderbrands partnered with LifeBooster to identify ergonomic risks caused by upper-extremity work.

Manufacturing Awkward postures/excessive bending or twists Forceful exertions Lifting or carrying Repetitive activities (non-computer related) Individual factors Organizational factors Wearable sensors Software

Implementation of Wearable Sensors for Risk Assessments and Real Time Feedback

This case study describes Pacific Gas & Electric's (PG&E) experience working with Longitude6 to implement Etiscope wearable sensors for the use of ergonomic risk assessments.

Utilities Awkward postures/excessive bending or twists Compression or contact stress Forceful exertions Hand-arm vibration Repetitive activities (non-computer related) Temperature extremes (heat/cold) Whole body vibration Wearable sensors

Effective Use of Wearable Technology in Heavy Parts Distribution

This case study from Fleet Pride, a distributor of truck and trailer parts, details the experience of using MākuSafe wearable sensors to reduce MSD risk among workers.

Wholesale Trade Transportation and Warehousing Awkward postures/excessive bending or twists Forceful exertions Temperature extremes (heat/cold) Organizational factors Wearable sensors

Effective Use of Custom Pick Planning Software

This case study highlights two projects involving custom pick planning software that Amazon initiated in select robotic fulfillment centers to 1) direct employees to stow common inventory in the ergonomic "Golden Zone" and not stow heavy inventory in bottom bins and 2) increase the proportion of assigned picks in the "Golden Zone."

Manufacturing Awkward postures/excessive bending or twists Compression or contact stress Forceful exertions Lifting or carrying Overhead work Reaching Repetitive activities (non-computer related) Organizational factors Software

Use of Exoskeletons in Beverage and Auto Parts Distribution

As an awardee in the MSD Solutions Lab's Pilot Grant Program, this case study details how Amerisure Insurance worked with both computer vision provider TuMeke Ergonomics and HeroWear, which specializes in passive back-assist exosuits, to prevent MSDs enterprise-wide.

Finance & Insurance Wholesale Trade Awkward postures/excessive bending or twists Forceful exertions Lifting or carrying Repetitive activities (non-computer related) Organizational factors Wearable sensors

Implementation of Computer Vision Technology for Powerline Technicians

As an awardee in the MSD Solutions Lab's Pilot Grant Program, this case study details how Burlington Hydro used TuMeke Ergonomics to assist with conducting ergonomic assessments of the company’s powerline technicians.

Utilities Awkward postures/excessive bending or twists Forceful exertions Organizational factors Computer vision Software

Safety Technology Pilot in an Industrial Setting

In this case study, Cargill piloted LifeBooster wearable sensors in 23 meat-processing plants to improve their ability to assess ergonomic risks.

Manufacturing Awkward postures/excessive bending or twists Hand-arm vibration Repetitive activities (non-computer related) Static postures Temperature extremes (heat/cold) Wearable sensors

Exoskeleton Implementation in an Aircraft Engine Supplier

As an awardee in the MSD Solutions Lab's Pilot Grant Program, this case study details how General Electric Aerospace partnered with HeroWear to better understand the operational benefits and worker impact of using exosuits to unload cargo trailers.

Transportation and Warehousing Awkward postures/excessive bending or twists Forceful exertions Lifting or carrying Repetitive activities (non-computer related) Individual factors Organizational factors Wearable sensors

Impacts of Computer Vision Technology in a Utilities Operation

As an awardee in the MSD Solutions Lab's Pilot Grant Program, this case study details how Guarantee Electrical Company worked with TuMeke Ergonomics to detect unsafe postures and glean data-driven insights to optimize their workplace safety programs.

Construction Utilities Awkward postures/excessive bending or twists Forceful exertions Lifting or carrying Repetitive activities (non-computer related) Organizational factors Computer vision Software

Effective Use of Powered Cart Movers

This case study with John Deere details their implementation of powered cart movers as an engineering control to remove the need for employees to manually move heavy loads.

Manufacturing Forceful exertions Pushing or pulling Individual factors Organizational factors Tools and equipment

Effective Use of Wearable Technology for Manual Material Handing

In this case study Life Line Emergency Vehicles, an ambulance manufacturing company, implemented MākuSafe wearable sensors to reduce MSD risk among their workforce.

Manufacturing Awkward postures/excessive bending or twists Forceful exertions Gripping Pushing or pulling Repetitive activities (non-computer related) Individual factors Wearable sensors

Effective Use of Injury Prevention Specialists

Schneider Electric engaged with ErgoPlus in this case study to deploy Injury Prevention Specialists at select sites to encourage early reporting of discomfort and ensure adequate responses.

Manufacturing Transportation and Warehousing Forceful exertions Gripping Lifting or carrying Pushing or pulling Repetitive activities (non-computer related) Support personnel

Pilot of an Exoskeleton to Reduce Back and Shoulder Injuries

In this case study, Schneider Electric piloted exoskeletons among distribution center warehouse workers to test whether they could reduce back and shoulder injuries from manual material handling activities.

Manufacturing Transportation and Warehousing Awkward postures/excessive bending or twists Forceful exertions Gripping Lifting or carrying Reaching Repetitive activities (non-computer related) Individual factors Wearable sensors

Implementation of Wearable Sensor Technology with Haptic Feedback

In this case study with Schneider Electric, wearable sensors with the ability to alert employees when engaging in risky postures were piloted at select warehouse sites with manual material handling risks.

Manufacturing Transportation and Warehousing Awkward postures/excessive bending or twists Lack of recovery or rest between tasks Lifting or carrying Overhead work Reaching Repetitive activities (non-computer related) Organizational factors Wearable sensors


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