According to the Spanish trade union confederation Union General de Trabajadores (UGT), 3 out of 5 workers in the European Union (EU) suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). These MSDs are highly detrimental to people's health. Indeed, they rank as one of the most frequent causes of disability, sick leave and early retirement.
According to the UGT, MSDs are the leading cause of lost-time accidents (33% of the total) and the leading cause of occupational diseases in Spain (82% of them). Musculoskeletal disorders are responsible for 50% of permanent disabilities. They occur most frequently in the finance and insurance sector (93% of workplaces), followed by information and communication (92%) and public administration (91%).
According to the latest data provided by the UGT, more than 800,000 Spaniards have lost time from work due to MSDs, more than 21 million working days have been lost due to this cause and the cost of Social Security benefits for this concept has amounted to more than 1,000 million euros.
According to the 2019 report of the Spanish Ministry of Health's National Health System, back problems, specifically those of the lumbar region, currently account for 25% of sick leave. In addition, they are the second most common chronic health problem in Spain. It was also pointed out that more than 80% of the world's population will be affected by low back pain at some point in their lives. It is estimated that the average number of days off work due to acute low back pain is about 41 days per year.
The calculation of costs for Spanish companies is as follows:
Cost of lost productivity: for the estimation of this cost, we have used the Heinrich method, which considers that indirect costs (so-called lost productivity) are four times higher than direct costs (care and economic).
On average, the total cost of neck pain caused by an accident at work resulting in absence from work is 6,878.40 euros. If the worker is not absent from work the total cost is reduced to 1,363.64 euros.
When neck pain is caused by an accident in itinere, the total costs of the pathology increase: they exceed €13,000 if the worker is off work. On the other hand, if the accident does not lead to time off work, the costs are around €2,300.
Using the same methodology, with regard to low back pain, the average total cost in cases where this pathology prevented the worker from continuing to work is €3,417.50, whereas if the worker was able to continue working, the cost is €1,258.35.
To help companies effectively prevent musculoskeletal disorders in employees, Ergosanté's " HAPO " and " HAPO MS" exoskeletons can drastically reduce or prevent these risks and thus improve their working conditions. Ergosanté's passive exoskeletons are seen as a benefit and add significant value for companies.