To break that cycle, employers need a different approach—one that prioritizes prevention, consistency, and integration. A model that is personal, one-on-one, and on-site. One that’s built around a simple idea: meeting employees where they are, and help them work smarter, not harder.

A more sustainable approach

This starts by embedding injury prevention specialists directly into your offices and locations. Whether it’s on the manufacturing floor, at a utility site, or inside a distribution center, you want people physically present to observe, coach, and support employees in real time. This one-on-one connection is powerful. It builds trust. It removes barriers to access. And it makes early intervention second nature rather than an afterthought.

Just as important is collaboration. Injury prevention teams shouldn’t operate in silos—they should work hand-in-hand with safety departments, medical staff, frontline supervisors, and corporate leadership. Injury prevention isn’t just an HR initiative—it’s a cross-functional business strategy. And this kind of integration leads to sustainable outcomes.

Data also plays a key role. By analyzing injury trends, evaluating job roles, and assessing movement patterns, you can identify where risk lives and how it can be reduced. Use this data not only to inform strategy but to show progress—keeping both employees and leadership aligned on results.

Technology has made this work even more precise and efficient. For example, at HealthFitness we partner with TuMeke Ergonomics to implement a smart video assessment tool that uses AI to analyze posture and movement. With a simple video recording from a phone or tablet, we can pinpoint high-risk motions—visualized through red, yellow, and green overlays—and recommend adjustments that immediately lower risk. It’s a fast, impactful way to educate employees and demonstrate ROI.

One example that stands out: while conducting assessments at a client site, we observed an employee who had been performing the same task for over 30 years. Her process involved lifting heavy boxes from the floor, resulting in significant back strain. The video analysis showed a high-risk posture. But with one minor adjustment—placing the boxes on a cart to elevate the work—her risk levels dropped dramatically. Not only did she adopt the new method immediately, but she also passed it along to a new hire she was training that same day. That’s how small changes can drive cultural shifts.

We’re seeing these results across a wide variety of physical work environments. From welders and linemen to warehouse teams and assembly line operators, the opportunity for prevention is huge. In these roles, employees are pushing, pulling, lifting, twisting, and repeating those motions all day long. Addressing how the work is done—through conditioning, coaching, and better ergonomics—can yield outsized gains.

Treating musculoskeletal health as a business issue

So where should employers begin? Start with a pilot. Pick one high-risk site or job function and implement a focused prevention program. Work with employees from day one—starting with job conditioning, continuing with coaching at the job site, and supporting long-term behavior change. Use data to measure the impact. Then scale strategically.

Every large program begins with a single, intentional step. And in nearly every case I’ve seen over the years, what starts small has grown—organically and sustainably—because the value was undeniable.

Musculoskeletal health isn’t just a healthcare issue. It’s a business issue. And it deserves the same level of focus, investment, and leadership support as any other strategic priority. With the right approach, employers can turn a persistent cost center into a long-term asset—boosting performance, controlling healthcare spend, and supporting the people who keep their operations moving.

The choice is clear: don’t wait for the next spike in injury rates to act. Prioritize prevention now. Your workforce—and your bottom line—will thank you for it.

Brad Hammer, Senior Director of Injury Prevention and Treatment, HealthFitness