Faced with the increase in cases of musculoskeletal disorders, the Health Insurance plans to help companies to prevent risks
The name of this disease may say nothing… And yet. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are now the leading cause of occupational disease recognized in France. In 10 years, their number has exploded, with an increase of 60%. To prevent the risks of illness and allow better care coverage, the Occupational Risks branch of Health Insurance is launching financial aid for companies with fewer than 50 employees.
The first can go up to 25,000 euros. This initiative is part of a program called “TMS Pros” launched in 2014. They already concern 6,600 companies. It is used to finance 70% of the costs related to the training of a resource person within the company. Its role is to identify and control the risks of trouble.
Then the TMS Pros Action plan will allow “to act concretely and durably against MSDs”. 50% of the purchase of equipment aimed at reducing the physical constraints of employees will be financed by the Health Insurance. Until the end of 2017, 400 grants may therefore be offered to companies.
Upper limbs
MSDs are characterized by chronic and progressive pain, ranging from numbness to functional discomfort in the lower and upper limbs. Tendons, muscles, shoulders or arms… All these areas are affected.
90% of MSDs diagnosed concern the upper limbs.
40,000 employees compensated
In 2014, 40,000 employees were compensated after being diagnosed with an MSD. And the expenses are substantial. The indemnities, payable by the companies, amount to nearly 1 billion euros. Another consequence, the Health Insurance estimates that 10 million working days would be lost.
The causes are multifactorial. For Health Insurance, “the robotization of human tasks”, leading employees to make repetitive and “monotonous” gestures – as with cashiers -, by soliciting the same muscle regions, lead to increased risks of MSDs.
The “higher productivity constraints which intensify the pace of flows” and the reduction in break times, necessary for recovery, are also at the origin of these disorders.
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