Out of sight, out of support? Rethinking MSD risk management in the age of remote and hybrid work

kmanoharaselvan
Jul 3
5 min read

Five years ago, few could have predicted how rapidly the workplace would evolve. The shift to hybrid and remote work has brought flexibility, convenience, and cost savings, but it has also exacerbated existing risks, particularly in relation to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), by removing many of the supports and safeguards present in traditional office settings.

In this new world of dispersed teams and digital desks, a growing body of evidence shows that we may be overlooking a silent epidemic of poor posture, prolonged sitting, and unmanaged strain—especially among desk-based workers and drivers. As traditional workplace health and safety models struggle to keep pace, a fresh approach is urgently needed.

The invisible risks of modern work

It’s easy to assume MSDs are mainly a concern for those performing heavy lifting or physical labour. But that assumption is increasingly outdated.

According to a recent review by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE):

"There is credible (moderate-level) evidence of a causal relationship between use of Display Screen Equipment (DSE) and MSD symptoms. The risk factors include: total duration of DSE use, poor workstation design and setup (especially aspects affecting posture), awkward and static postures, and inadequate work-rest schedules."

The issue is also widespread. A 2023 systematic review of computer users found that:

“Work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) prevalence ranged from 33.8% to 95.3%. The lower back, neck, upper back, and shoulders were the most affected body parts.”

The contributing factors? According to the HSE research review, they include: total duration of DSE use, poor workstation design and setup (particularly aspects affecting posture), awkward and static working postures, and insufficient breaks or movement throughout the day.

HSE’s MSD statistics; Labour Force Survey and THOR-GP data tell a consistent story: Manual handling, awkward or tiring positions, and repetitive keyboard work are leading contributors to MSDs, including among medically assessed cases.

What’s changed since the office?

The traditional office played a central role in reducing the risk of MSDs specifically related to desk-based and DSE work:

Ergonomic assessments were conducted routinely to identify poor posture, inadequate workstation setups, or static working habits that could contribute to MSD risk.
Workstations and equipment (e.g., adjustable chairs, monitors, external keyboards) were standardised and centrally maintained, helping workers achieve posture that aligned with DSE guidance.
Managers could visually identify poor DSE practices, intervene promptly, and reinforce safe working habits.

But in today’s hybrid model?

Home workspaces are often improvised, with dining tables or sofas replacing properly set up desks and chairs.
Without routine assessments, many remote workers use poorly adjusted equipment, leading to unsupported postures.
Touchpoints with managers are infrequent, making it harder to observe and correct unsafe DSE practices.
Awareness of posture and movement habits is largely self-directed, with fewer reminders or prompts to break static sitting patterns.

We’ve removed the walls of the workplace, but also the safety nets that came with them.

The challenge for H&S teams and employers

While manual handling-related MSDs are often more visible and actively reported, MSDs linked to desk-based DSE work may be underreported. Symptoms such as discomfort, fatigue, or early-stage strain are frequently normalised or dismissed by workers, particularly in remote settings. According to HSE's data from the Labour Force Survey and medical surveillance systems like THOR-GP, keyboard and DSE-related activities are significant contributors to work-related MSDs, but they may not be consistently captured unless they lead to severe or chronic conditions.

For Health & Safety professionals, the shift poses new challenges:

Monitoring is harder: It’s difficult to assess workstation setup or risk exposure when teams are scattered.
Reactive, not proactive: Discomfort and injuries often go unreported until they become chronic.
Training gaps: Online modules can't replace real-time guidance or on-the-job correction.
Cultural change: Employees may not view MSDs as a “real” risk, especially when working from home.

Meanwhile, employees themselves face:

Reduced awareness of posture and movement: Without in-person supervision or ergonomic reminders, workers may be less conscious of how long they've been sitting or whether their posture has become static or awkward.
Normalised pain and discomfort: Minor aches in the back, neck, or wrists are often dismissed as part of the job, especially in remote settings where discomfort is hidden from view and rarely discussed.
Fewer cues to take breaks or stretch: The lack of environmental and social prompts—like a colleague standing up or walking to a meeting—means fewer natural breaks from static postures.
Limited motivation to report early symptoms: In the absence of face-to-face check-ins, workers may downplay symptoms or delay reporting until the discomfort becomes significant, reducing opportunities for early intervention.

Time for a smarter, scalable approach

It’s clear that traditional one-size-fits-all strategies no longer meet the needs of a de-centralised workforce. What’s needed now is a smarter, more agile approach to MSD prevention, one that reflects how and where people actually work today.

Support must follow employees, not just the workplace. Whether someone is based at home, on the move, or in a shared space, interventions need to go where the risks are.
Real-time, contextual feedback is more powerful than static training. Awareness during the workday, when habits form, is critical for building lasting change.
Tools should empower self awareness rather than enforce compliance. Workers need insight into their own patterns so they can make informed adjustments, not feel micromanaged.
And most importantly, any solution must fit naturally into daily routines. If it’s cumbersome, intrusive, or disruptive, it won’t last.

Emerging technology including discreet wearable sensors, mobile apps, and AI-powered posture analytics, offers a new path forward. These tools can help bridge the gap between where people work and how well they're protected.

Because ultimately, MSDs are preventable, but only if we can see them coming.

Coming soon: a new way to protect desk-based workers

At SpatialCortex, we’ve spent the past year developing a solution that addresses this very challenge. One that’s evidence-aligned, real-world tested, and designed specifically for the modern workforce. We’ll be revealing it soon.

In the meantime, we encourage businesses, safety teams, and industry leaders to start asking - Are we truly supporting the health of our remote and desk-based teams, or just assuming they’re fine because we can’t see them?

Because when it comes to musculoskeletal health, what’s out of sight shouldn’t be out of mind.

Stay updated

We’re excited to share more in the coming weeks. If you’d like early access, a live demo, or updates on our launch, reach out or sign up here: www.spatialcortex.co.uk

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