The next evolution of the National Safety Council (NSC) MSD Pledge to solve the problem presented by workplace musculoskeletal disorders has been released.
MSD Pledge 2.0 “marks an important next step” in solving workplace musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs, beyond 2025 by expanding access to safety technology, resources and best practices, according to the NSC.
MSDs are the most common workplace injury and the second leading cause in shortening employees’ working years, outranked only by mental illness and substance misuse, according to the World Health Organization. These injuries result in nearly $17 billion in lost-wage and medical expenses for U.S. businesses each year.
The original MSD Pledge was introduced in June 2022. Almost 200 organizations representing more than 2.7 million employees joined the initial effort.
This next phase of the MSD Pledge calls on organizations to commit to the core goals of reducing MSD risk for workers by:
- analyzing the causes of MSD injuries and investing in solutions and practices that reduce risks to workers
- leveraging innovations and sharing learnings that improve safety practices
- building a culture of safety where everyone is accountable for the safety and health of workers, and
- committing to a percentage-based goal to reduce MSD risks over the next five years after signing the pledge, based on organizational goals, resources and priorities.
“Every employee deserves to work in an environment where their safety is valued, and by increasing access to the MSD Pledge community through this new initiative, employers can transform workplace safety, reduce MSD risk and enhance the physical and psychological wellbeing of all workers,” said Lorraine Martin, president and CEO of NSC.
Pledge members will gain access to free resources to help reduce MSD risk and will join other charter members in participating in the MSD Solutions Index. The index is an annual benchmarking survey designed to reflect against the pledge commitments of risk reduction, innovation and collaboration, and safety culture. This index is designed to “provide personalized feedback on what organizations are doing well and the areas of opportunity to strengthen their MSD prevention efforts.”
More information about MSD Pledge 2.0 can be found here.
