Successful implementation to prevent MSD in the workplace

What are the challenges & facilitators of successful implementation to prevent MSD in the workplace?

This scoping review identified common barriers and facilitators encountered during the implementation of changes to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and examined their relationship with those encountered in general Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) efforts. For the purposes of this review barriers and challenges are defined as the factors that hamper the implementation of activities to prevent MSD.

Yazdani et al., has highlighted the importance of integrating MSD prevention into management systems and the positive impacts integration may have in reducing workplace injuries. These studies argue that there is a need for better understanding of challenges and barriers that organizations face to integrate MSD prevention activities and strategies into management systems.

The current literature review resulted in a total of 4022 articles^[1]. This review found many barriers that affect the successful implementation of individual controls or an MSD prevention program in the workplace. The barriers were categorized into eleven main themes including:

1. Lack of time - a challenge to implementing MSD prevention activities in the workplace. Some studies noted that although a workplace team was appointed with responsibility for the MSD prevention program, team members acknowledged limited time available for the program due to responsibilities for other programs and activities
2. Lack of time - a challenge to implementing MSD prevention activities in the workplace. Some studies noted that although a workplace team was appointed with responsibility for the MSD prevention program, team members acknowledged limited time available for the program due to responsibilities for other programs and activities
3. Lack of resources - one of the most common challenges to the implementation of MSD prevention interventions. In many cases, the organization in which the intervention was to be implemented encountered insufficient budgets to begin or maintain the program
4. Lack of communication- The communication between various stakeholders, both internal and external to an organization, is a key component to the success of any MSD prevention program.
5. Lack of management commitment, support, and participation- This argues for the collaboration and participation of both workers and experts to make improvements. Input from multiple workplace parties and specialist populations enables their respective expertise and skillsets to be brought to the table.
6. Lack of knowledge and training - in order to maximize the impact of ergonomics training, the training should be coupled with an ergonomic intervention to address workplace health concerns.
7. Resistance to change- Workers may be unsupportive and apathetic towards the prevention program even after it has been implemented in the workplace, and can refuse to adopt the new working methods
8. Changing work environment- changing work environment, whether it is due to changes in work location or changes in personnel, provide a challenge to the implementation of ergonomic interventions.
9. Scope of activities - complexity of MSD hazard assessment tools could limit the success of any intervention program. Additionally, the literature suggests that not adopting a holistic approach by considering psychosocial factors as part of the MSD program provides a barrier to the success of any program
10. Lack of trust, fear of job loss or loss of authority- it is difficult to start the process of an intervention when there is a lack of mutual trust within the organization and between management and workers
11. Process deficiencies - If a prevention program does not fit with the norms and practices already existing in the business, the implementation process will be hampered
12. Difficulty of implementing controls - ergonomic programs that do not include appropriate engineering solutions may face challenges in the implementation process

In addition to barriers, the review revealed a variety of factors that facilitate the successful implementation of a preventative MSD program. The facilitators for successful prevention of MSD are:

1. Training, knowledge, and ergonomists’ support
2. Communication, participation, and support
3. Effective implementation process.

¹ Reference: Yazdani, A., & Wells, R. (2018). Barriers for implementation of successful change to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and how to systematically address them. Applied ergonomics, 73, 122-140