Musculoskeletal disorders like carpel tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, rotator cuff tears and back sprains and strains cost private sector employers in Rhode Island and around the country about $17 billion each year. To help prevent these injuries, the National Safety Council funds research projects and programs that focus on reducing occupational injury risks. In January 2024, the NSC announced that up to an additional $260,000 will be allocated to support these projects.
A common workplace injury
MSDs, which are sometimes called ergonomic injuries, are the most common cause of workers’ compensation claims. They are caused by forceful exertions, repetitive movements and static or awkward postures, and they are suffered by workers in all industries. These injuries affect about one in four people around the world, and they can be debilitating. In April 2021, the NSC announced that it had teamed up with the online retailer Amazon to establish the MSD Solutions Lab. In addition to conducting research, the lab evaluates new technology and develops solutions for organizations of all sizes.
MSD grants
The NSC launched the Research to Solutions and MSD Solutions Pilot Grant programs in 2023. In 2024, Research to Solutions will award grants of up to $50,000 to academic institutions and organizations working on MSD research. Up to $200,000 has been allocated to fund these grants. MSD Pilot Grant has been allocated up to $60,000. This money will be used to provide innovative technology to organizations with workers who frequently suffer MSDs caused by upper-body exertion. Up to $20,000 will be available for each approved project.
Preventing workplace injuries
MSDs are the most common type of workplace injury, and they cost private sector employers billions of dollars each year. The NSC provides funding to academic institutions and organizations that are conducting research or developing technology that could prevent MSDs. In January 2024, the agency announced that the money available to support these efforts will be increased by up to $260,000.