The Musculoskeletal Health Toolkit

Report type

Guide for employers on how to support adolescents and young adults to a better future

Published by 

The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM), the British Society for Rheumatology and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 2022

Background/aims 

This guidance was developed by clinical experts, patient representative groups and college and university representatives, along with adolescents (aged 16 to 19) and young people (aged 19 to 25). Its main aims are to help employers and further education (FE) institutions understand the part they play in preventing MSK conditions, and set out how employers and FE institutions can support young people with chronic MSK conditions to realise their potential, thrive and remain in work or education.

Key points 

Many MSK conditions are preventable if risk factors are identified early and interventions to reduce risk are implemented at work, at home and in the wider environment – which makes a good business argument for addressing the issues. Inactive people are at increased risk of MSK diseases. It is vital to support young people with MSK conditions to manage pain early and try to prevent future problems, including at work and in FE.

The guidance presents the following figures:

• 2.8 million people under 35 in the UK live with an MSK condition – a large number of whom should be entering employment.

• Depression is four times more common in people with chronic pain than those without.

• 68% of those with an MSK condition say fatigue impacts daily activities (28% say significantly).

It states that good health behaviour in young people is key to future health outcomes and sets out what employers or FE institutions can do to help prevent MSK conditions:

• Prevent workplace accidents and injuries through better health and safety procedures and risk management.
• Design offices and FE institutions with positive infrastructure – such as secure bike racks and stand-up desks.
• Encourage students or staff to increase physical activity through wellbeing programmes or funding equipment, such as bikes.
• Provide healthy food or information about nutrition to help people make better choices.
• Encourage employees and students to stop smoking and reduce alcohol consumption, perhaps with related incentives.
• Normalise conversations about, and support for, mental health – particularly around identifying and reducing stress.
• Ensure employees or students are consulted on health and wellbeing programmes and, where possible, make them reflect on the feedback garnered.
• Signpost to relevant networks dealing with counselling and mental health.
• Create general awareness about the prevention of MSK conditions and other health problems.
• Support employees and students to manage their condition in order to reduce the impact.

The guide outlines four core steps to management:

• Understand the MSK condition – recognise the impact.

• Maintain MSK health – provide accommodations as needed to manage health.

• Knowledge and training – especially for frontline workers.

• Going further – be an ambassador for good MSK health.

Additional guidance is offered on employment considerations and how to manage work placements for FE institutions.

SOM’s takeaway 

‘Many of us will be concerned with young people’s posture as they stoop over their phone or sit “unsuitably” on their laptop. This can lead to MSK conditions. Mental health problems are the greatest causes of work loss and are often interrelated. Ongoing MSK problems can also be associated with depression and/or stress, leading to increased absence from school, work or college.

‘If you work with young people, do share this MSK health toolkit with organisations in which they work. Leaders and managers need to create an environment – whether that be university, school or the workplace – that prevents MSK conditions from developing and allows people who are living with MSK conditions to meet their full potential. This toolkit is vital for employers and educators to consider.’

Nick Pahl, chief executive officer at the Society of Occupational Medicine

Implications for practice – IOSH’s take 

Obviously there is already a huge amount of information already out there about MSKs, but this is a valuable piece of research and guidance for our members.

In parts, it follows on from the six types of sedentary worker, and considerations such as office design (see page 71 of the January/February issue of IOSH magazine).

For the full guidance document, go to bit.ly/SOM-MSK-toolkit

Image credit | IKON