NSC Releases New Guidance to Prevent Common Workplace Injuries
The National Safety Council's new resource helps organizations prevent costly musculoskeletal disorders with research-backed strategies.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Feb 25, 2025
To address the critical safety challenge of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), the National Safety Council has released a new resource, The Importance of Musculoskeletal Disorder and Related Injury Surveillance: An Organizational Approach.
With 2.6 million workplace injuries and illnesses reported in 2023, MSDs remain the most common workplace injury in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While these injuries cost U.S. businesses close to $18 billion a year, they are also avoidable, according to Katherine Mendoza, senior director of workplace safety programs at NSC.
“MSDs are entirely preventable, and prevention starts with understanding where and how these injuries occur,” Mendoza noted in a public statement. “This new resource equips safety professionals with research-backed strategies to identify risks early and take action before injuries occur.”
Key features include:
- Standardized recordkeeping – Guidelines for consistent injury classification and data collection, helping organizations better identify risks and target prevention efforts.
- System implementation – Best practices for designing and maintaining effective injury surveillance frameworks that adapt to an organization’s size and capabilities.
- Technology integration – Guidance on leveraging IoT devices, AI analytics and automated systems to enhance workplace monitoring and early intervention, with practical considerations for implementation.
- Real-world application – Use cases and interactive exercises to help organizations implement these strategies effectively in their own workplaces.
NSC encourages organizations across all industries to make injury prevention and surveillance a cornerstone of their safety programs. By implementing these evidenced-based strategies, businesses can create safer environments and reduce the occurrence of MSDs.
To learn more about this resource and the MSD Solutions Lab, visit nsc.org/msd.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.