NSC Report Examines Benefits of MSD Prevention Technology

NSC Releases Report on MSD Prevention Technology Benefits

The National Safety Council published a report titled ‘Frontline Worker Perceptions of MSD Prevention Technology’ on May 13, 2026, based on a survey of 405 nonmanagerial workers from industries such as manufacturing, construction, health care, and transportation and warehousing who have used MSD prevention technology in their roles, according to Safety+Health Magazine.

Survey Highlights Worker Experiences

In the survey conducted by researchers from NSC’s MSD Solutions Lab, nearly 70% of workers reported experiencing job-related musculoskeletal disorder symptoms, while 77% expressed moderate concern about injuries and 64% agreed that their tasks cause mental stress. When using MSD prevention technologies, more than 80% of respondents indicated a decrease in MSD signs and symptoms or no negative impact, with the most widely used tools being wearable sensors (27%), computer vision (24%), exoskeletons (17%), extended/augmented/virtual reality (16%), and robots/cobots (13%). Respondents also agreed that these tools positively affect improved posture and job satisfaction, have a positive or neutral impact on mental stress, and lower injury concerns.

Key Takeaways for Implementation

The report outlines five takeaways for effectively implementing MSD prevention technologies: match technology to the goal, such as using exoskeletons or robots/cobots to reduce physical load; treat safety technology as an intervention for both physical and psychosocial aspects to alleviate cognitive burden; build trust to prevent technology from being perceived as a surveillance tool; focus on workers’ daily experiences and well-being by measuring job satisfaction as a core metric; and embed worker participation as a core principle in technology adoption. As is widely known, effective implementation of such technologies can address common workplace hazards like ergonomics.

Insights from NSC Director

MSD Solutions Lab Director Paige DeBaylo stated that the conversation about MSD prevention technology has historically focused on employers and developers rather than workers, and that employers seek ways to make jobs safer and less physically demanding, with many reporting that these technologies improve safety, reduce strain, and support overall job satisfaction, according to Safety+Health Magazine.