The Health and Safety Executive has released its 2024/25 statistics for work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD’s) and whilst some figures show improvement, the data reveals concerning trends that Northern Ireland businesses cannot afford to ignore.

The Headlines: A Mixed Picture

The latest HSE statistics show 511,000 workers across Great Britain suffered from work-related MSDs in 2024/25, down from 543,000 the previous year. Working days lost also decreased from 7.8 million to 7.1 million. On the surface, this appears to be progress.

MSDs account for 27% of all work-related ill health cases in Great Britain, making them the second-largest category after stress, depression and anxiety (52%).

However, beneath these headline figures lies a more complex story—and one that demands attention from businesses serious about workplace safety and productivity.

The Concerning Trends Hidden in the Data

New MSD Cases Are Rising

Whilst total MSD cases decreased, new cases of work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders actually increased from 168,000 to 173,000 workers in 2024/25. This rise in new cases suggests that despite overall improvements, workplaces are still generating fresh injuries at an alarming rate.

For businesses across Northern Ireland, the UK and Ireland, this means prevention efforts are not reaching enough workers before injuries occur. The focus must shift from managing existing cases to stopping new injuries from developing in the first place.

Upper Limb and Neck Injuries Are Increasing

Perhaps the most significant shift in the data is the change in injury patterns. Upper limb and neck injuries now account for 41% of all work-related MSDs, up from 37% in the previous year. This represents 211,000 workers suffering from conditions affecting their shoulders, arms, wrists and neck.

This increase reflects the changing nature of work across sectors:

In manufacturing and production environments, repetitive assembly tasks, sustained overhead work and awkward postures at workstations are driving upper limb disorders. These injuries develop gradually but can be severely debilitating.

In office and administrative settings, prolonged computer use with poorly designed workstations contributes to neck and shoulder strain. The shift to hybrid working has often meant workers using unsuitable home setups for extended periods.

In retail and warehousing, constant scanning, reaching and stock handling creates cumulative strain on upper limbs and shoulders.

Back injuries remain the largest single category at 43% (221,000 workers), but the rapid increase in upper limb and neck conditions signals that businesses need to broaden their focus beyond traditional manual handling concerns.

What This Means for Businesses Across Northern Ireland, the UK & Ireland

The Financial Impact Persists

Despite the overall decrease in cases, 7.1 million working days lost to MSDs represents an enormous cost to UK businesses. This translates to:

Direct costs including sick pay, temporary cover and compensation claims
Indirect costs from reduced productivity and knowledge loss when experienced staff are absent
Hidden costs such as quality issues, increased error rates and missed deadlines

With approximately 14 days absence per MSD case, the cumulative impact on your workforce can be substantial.

High-Risk Sectors Need Targeted Action

The HSE data identifies construction, transportation and storage and admin and support service activities as having higher-than-average MSD rates. If your business operates in these sectors, you face elevated risk and should prioritise prevention strategies.

Prevention Is More Cost-Effective Than Management

The rise in new cases whilst total cases decreased suggests that businesses are managing existing conditions but failing to prevent new injuries. This reactive approach is more expensive and less effective than proactive Ergonomic intervention.

Preventing MSDs before they develop requires:

Proactive comprehensive workplace Ergonomic assessments that identify risk factors before injuries occur
Appropriate, task-based manual handling training addressing the Task, Individual capability, Load, Environment and Other factors (TILE)
Workstation design that accommodates the physical demands of tasks, particularly for activities involving repetitive upper limb movements
Regular review and adjustment as work processes change

The Upper Limb Challenge: Why Traditional Approaches Aren't Enough

The increase in upper limb and neck injuries reveals a critical gap in many workplace safety programmes. Traditional manual handling training focuses primarily on lifting and back injury prevention. Whilst this remains important, it doesn't address the cumulative strain from repetitive movements, sustained postures and poorly designed work areas that drive upper limb disorders.

Effective prevention of upper limb MSDs requires specialist Ergonomic expertise to:

Analyse work tasks for repetitive strain risk factors
Design workstations that minimise awkward postures and sustained reaching
Select tools and equipment that reduce force requirements
Implement job rotation strategies that provide adequate recovery time
Train workers to recognise early warning signs before conditions become chronic
Create Ergonomic champions—ambassadors for best practice

Why Chartered Ergonomic Expertise Matters

The complexity revealed in these statistics—overall decreases masking concerning increases in specific injury types—demonstrates why generic safety approaches often fail. Understanding the biomechanical demands of different tasks, recognising subtle risk factors and implementing evidence-based solutions requires specialist Ergonomic knowledge.

As the only Chartered Ergonomist operating in Northern Ireland, I bring this specialist expertise to businesses across Northern Ireland, the UK and Ireland in manufacturing, logistics, retail and office sectors. Chartered status represents the highest professional standard in Ergonomics and Human Factors, demonstrating proven competence in preventing work-related MSDs.

Taking Action: What Businesses Should Do Now

The 2024/25 statistics make clear that MSD prevention remains a critical business issue. If your business operates in a high-risk sector, has seen increasing absence rates or wants to prevent injuries before they develop, now is the time to act.

Comprehensive Ergonomic risk assessments identify the specific factors contributing to MSD risk in your workplace. This goes beyond generic checklists to provide targeted recommendations based on your actual work tasks and environment.

Evidence-based manual handling training equips your team with proper techniques for lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling, addressing the TILE factors required under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992.

Specialist advice on workstation design ensures that repetitive tasks, assembly work and computer-based activities are configured to minimise upper limb and neck strain.

Launching Ergonomics Awareness Champions in your business creates internal advocates who promote best practice, identify emerging risks early and embed prevention into daily operations.

The decrease in total cases shows that effective prevention is possible. The increase in new MSD cases shows there is still significant work to be done. The question for businesses is whether you will be part of the solution or continue to bear the costs of preventable injuries.