Fatigue, aches, and downtime : The hidden toll of MSDs in construction
Construction professionals know it all too well: the days are tough, the movements repetitive, and the postures often strenuous. The result ? A surge in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), the leading cause of occupational illnesses in the construction industry. Behind this vague acronym lies a very real impact : pain, sick leave, and reduced performance.
On a construction site, every movement matters. But some come at a higher cost than others: MSDs may be invisible, but they can end careers. In the construction sector, these disorders are spreading at an alarming rate. It’s time to take action.
How can they be prevented ? What strategies can be implemented on-site ?
Revealing figures
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are not just a minor, temporary discomfort. They represent a serious health and economic emergency in the construction sector. Here’s a data-driven overview to better understand the scale of the issue :
> According to France’s National Health Insurance, over 87% of recognized occupational illnesses in construction are related to MSDs ;
> 1 in 2 workers in the sector is affected, often within the first few years of their career ;
> On average, an employee suffering from MSDs is absent 30 days per year, according to the INRS (National Institute for Research and Safety) ;
> Estimated cost per case for companies: between €21,000 and €60,000 (due to absenteeism, replacements, loss of productivity, and increased insurance contributions).
Despite multiple prevention campaigns, the number of MSDs in construction has remained high and stable for over 10 years. Some professions are particularly affected :
> Bricklayers: over 60% of reported occupational illnesses are MSDs ;
> Painters and drywall installers : high rates of tendinitis and neck pain ;
> Tilers : spending long hours on their knees, they frequently suffer from knee and back disorders.
Let’s take a closer look at the most common types of MSDs in the construction sector:
> Lower back pain (chronic or acute lumbago) : accounts for around 40% of cases ;
> Shoulder tendinitis : linked to overhead work (painting, electrical work, insulation) ;
> Carpal tunnel syndrome : common among users of vibrating tools ;
> Epicondylitis (elbow pain) : often caused by repetitive screwing or tightening movements ;
> Knee pain (gonalgia) : frequently affects tilers, plumbers, and floor layers.
The main risk factors on construction sites
On a construction site, the body is put to the test.
MSDs don’t occur by chance — they are often the result of a combination of multiple risk factors. Identifying these risks is the first step toward effective prevention.
1) Strenuous and sustained postures
Certain positions quickly become problematic when held for too long :
> Working with arms raised above shoulder level (e.g., painters, electricians) → shoulder overload.
> Squatting or kneeling work (e.g., tilers, plumbers) → pain in knees, hips, and back.
> Twisting of the lumbar spine (bent or twisted back while lifting a load) → chronic lower back pain.
Concrete example : A drywall installer lifting panels overhead repeatedly extends their arms, putting significant strain on the shoulders and neck.
2) Repetitive movements
Repetitive movements, even if light, eventually cause microtraumas. Tendons and joints don’t get enough time to recover between efforts.
The most affected areas are the shoulders, wrists, and elbows (e.g., screwing, nailing, sanding, cutting).
3) Heavy lifting and manual handling
Lifting, carrying, or placing heavy loads without mechanical assistance significantly increases the risk of MSDs. Poor lifting techniques (rounded back, straight legs) are very common.
A 35 kg bag of cement, if carried improperly multiple times a day, wears down a worker’s spine.
4) Mechanical vibrations
Using vibrating tools (jackhammers, rotary hammers, grinders) is a major risk factor. It mainly affects the upper limbs, causing pain, numbness, or syndromes such as carpal tunnel and neurovascular disorders.
Exposure time is crucial : the longer the exposure, the higher the risk.
5) Climatic and environmental conditions
Cold, humidity, and drafts can worsen joint pain. Working on unstable ground or at heights forces workers to adopt risky compensatory postures.
Typically, in winter, muscles are less warmed up, which increases the risk of injuries.
6) Work organization and inadequate (or insufficient) equipment
In this sector, there is often high pressure to meet deadlines, a lack of breaks, inadequate equipment, and little to no task rotation. An intense work pace prevents proper recovery, which contributes to the development of MSDs.
Workers frequently report the lack of task rotation and the repetitive nature of performing the same physical effort day after day.
There is also a clear shortage — or complete absence — of proper equipment: ladders instead of scaffolding, no hoists or lifting devices, and poorly adapted tools. As a result, workers are forced to physically compensate, sometimes at the expense of their health.
In summary :
Key actions to prevent MSDs
The good news is that MSDs are not inevitable. On construction sites, many solutions exist to reduce their occurrence and sustainably protect the health of professionals. Whether it’s through training, workstation adjustments, or work organization, everyone can take action at their level.
Here are the main steps to take concrete and effective action :
Conclusion
Preventing MSDs on construction sites is much more than a health measure: it is a sustainable investment in the performance and future of the construction sector. By protecting the men and women on the ground, we directly impact several key areas: reducing sick leave, improving working conditions, increasing productivity, and lowering costs related to accidents and occupational diseases.
Implementing concrete — even simple — actions today means avoiding pain, lengthy treatments, and sometimes premature career endings.
Because preventing MSDs gives every professional the opportunity to work longer, under better conditions, with greater comfort and recognition. It ensures a more peaceful professional life for those who build, day after day, the infrastructure of our society.
NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THEIR JOB AND THEIR HEALTH !
Sources :
> Assurance Maladie – Risques Professionnels : Chiffres clés du BTP : https://www.ameli.fr/entreprise/sante-travail/votre-secteur/batiment-travaux-publics/chiffres-cles
> Santé publique France – Étude sur les TMS dans le BTP : https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/les-actualites/2022/troubles-musculo-squelettiques-dans-le-btp-evolution-des-facteurs-de-risque-chez-les-salaries-entre-2010-et-2017
> Observatoire Santé PRO BTP : https://www.observatoire-sante-probtp.com/accueil.html
> INRS : https://www.inrs.fr/risques/tms-troubles-musculosquelettiques/ce-qu-il-faut-retenir.html
> EU-OSHA : https://osha.europa.eu/fr/themes/musculoskeletal-disorders