Inside the Report: How Concentra Answers Frontline Workers' Call for Support

Workplace musculoskeletal injuries represent a silent epidemic that's costing American businesses billions each year. Ergonomic injuries like back strains and carpal tunnel syndrome are sidelining workers and increasing workers' compensation costs. While these conditions are often preventable, there is a perception that they are often overlooked.

A recent National Safety Council (NSC) report reveals that a significant number of frontline workers do not feel adequately supported by their employers on ergonomic safety.¹ This lack of support could be tied to rising rates of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which remain the leading cause of occupational disability, chronic absenteeism, and premature workforce exits in the United States.² For organizations invested in being employers of choice, prioritizing ergonomic injury prevention is critical not only for legal and financial protection, but also for company reputation, employee morale, and long-term business success.

MSD prevalence and impact

MSDs account for nearly 30 percent of all nonfatal work injuries, forcing many affected individuals to face disability, early retirement, and limited career prospects.² Risk factors like repetitive motions, poor ergonomics, and heavy lifting influence this high prevalence.³ To mitigate these risks, the NSC stresses the importance of proactive prevention strategies. By investing in ergonomic assessments, employee training, and wellness initiatives, businesses can reduce the incidence of MSDs, enhance employee well-being, and maintain productivity — ultimately, outweighing the costs of prevention with savings.

Concentra's injury prevention solutions

Concentra® offers industry-leading injury prevention solutions designed to empower businesses by tackling the root causes of MSDs. These solutions include ergonomic services designed to enhance frontline worker safety and cultivate resilient, high-performing teams. Concentra injury prevention specialists, including athletic trainers and physical therapists, partner with organizations to develop strategies that promote safe and efficient work habits and environments.

Onsite preventive services

Concentra brings injury prevention directly to the workplace with onsite health services that emphasize early intervention, identifying and addressing musculoskeletal complaints before they escalate. Preventive screenings and personalized exercise programs — from stretching to strengthening — help keep employees healthy, active, and productive on the job.

Every workplace is unique. Concentra's flexible onsite health models are designed to adapt to most employer needs, regardless of company size or industry. Whether addressing specific job tasks, accommodating varying levels of management support, or working within financial constraints, adaptable solutions ensure the right fit for each organization.

Functional assessments and targeted training

Concentra's ergonomic experts can address MSDs common among frontline workers by first conducting comprehensive functional assessments. During these assessments, certified specialists carefully analyze specific job functions, workflows, and work environments to gather detailed insights and pinpoint injury risk factors. Using these insights, they can design an ergonomics training program directly targeting a company's unique needs — covering everything from body mechanics, equipment use, and workstation setup to posture, safe lifting techniques, and task rotation. These hands-on training programs can be delivered through interactive workshops, toolbox talks, or one-on-one coaching to ensure employees gain practical, job-specific skills that promote injury prevention.

Case Study: Apparel distributor employs a Concentra onsite athletic trainer to prevent and treat musculoskeletal injuries.

Performance and assessment metrics

To ensure an injury prevention program is driving real results, employers have access to comprehensive assessment metrics provided in a Concentra Compass Report, an outcomes summary tailored to each organization. This report reveals quarterly and year-over-year performance and assessment metrics, along with year-over-year comparisons and detailed insights into injury frequency, utilization, duration, and associated costs. Access to these metrics enables employers to evaluate program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Continuous ergonomic safety

In today’s fast-paced work environments, ergonomic safety should be a continuous program rather than a one-time event. To make ergonomics a regular part of work, Concentra's ergonomic specialists can teach workplace stretching routines, provide hands-on coaching for proper body mechanics and lifting techniques, and offer other ergonomic solutions to prevent injuries.

Five workplace ergonomic safety recommendations:

• Foster consistent communication with employees.
• Track and evaluate employee performance regularly.
• Adapt strategies based on ongoing feedback and results
• Implement continuous assessment protocols.
• Identify and analyze emerging risks proactively.

By embracing an ongoing commitment to ergonomics, organizations establish a lasting foundation for compliance, increased productivity, and a robust safety culture — ensuring employees always feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

The business case for ergonomic safety

Frontline workers play a crucial role in our communities, yet they often encounter significant risks related to MSDs from demanding tasks and repetitive motions. It's concerning that so many frontline workers feel unsupported by their employers in their ergonomic practices; however, this creates an opportunity for employers to reaffirm their commitment to workforce health and safety. By proactively addressing ergonomic needs, employers can mitigate musculoskeletal injury risks while also building trust and engagement among their teams.

When employers invest in injury prevention interventions, they're investing in measures that can reduce absenteeism, lower insurance premiums, improve employee retention, and strengthen their reputation as a safe and employee-first workplace. When employers collaborate with occupational health experts, they gain specialized knowledge to ensure sustainable workforce performance and health amid MSD injury risks stemming from ergonomic challenges. This collaborative, proactive approach can also help restore employee confidence in workplace safety practices and support. Learn more about Concentra's occupational injury prevention services.

References:

1. "Frontline workers lack employer support on ergo issues, NSC says in new report." Safety+Health Magazine, National Safety Council. Accessed September 30, 2025.
2. "National Safety Council. "MSD Solutions Lab White Paper." National Safety Council. Accessed September 30, 2025.
3. "Ergonomics." Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Accessed October 1, 2025.