INRS organizes in Nancy, from May 5th to 7th, an international conference on musculoskeletal disorders in the face of the challenges of modern work.
Given the persistence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) as the leading cause of occupational disease, the National Institute for Research and Safety (INRS) is organizing a major international conference from May 5th to 7th, 2026. The event, which will take place at the Prouvé Congress Center in Nancy, will bring together researchers, experts, and practitioners to address the new challenges posed by profound changes in the world of work.
A public health and economic issue
MSDs, which affect muscles, tendons, and nerves, represent a considerable burden on workers’ health and the economy. They are not only a major cause of occupational accidents but also an important factor in professional disengagement. The conference starts from the observation that traditional forms of prevention must adapt to a new reality: the rise of platformization, massive integration of new technologies, generalization of telework, and reconfiguration of work collectives. These transformations redefine the dynamics of MSDs emergence and call for renewed and sustainable prevention strategies.
Exoskeletons and new technologies at the heart of the debates
The conference program highlights the impact of technological innovation on physical health at work. Several sessions and symposiums will be specifically dedicated to exoskeletons, these physical assistance devices that arouse as many hopes as questions. Experts will debate their real effectiveness, their long-term consequences, and their status, oscillating between assistive technology and personal protective equipment. Topics such as “State of research on industrial exoskeletons” or “Understanding the long-term consequences of exoskeletons in MSD prevention” will be at the center of discussions. Human-robot interactions and the use of digital tools will also be subject to in-depth analysis.
A multidisciplinary program of international renown
To address this complex theme, INRS has invited leading speakers. Among them, Pascal Madeleine from Aalborg University (Denmark), Yves Roquelaure from the University Hospital of Angers (France), Julie N. Côté from the University of Ottawa (Canada), and Bradley Evanoff from the Washington University of Medicine (United States). The approaches will be resolutely multidisciplinary, involving ergonomics, epidemiology, occupational medicine, and biomechanics. Plenary lectures will address crucial issues such as the impact of digital technology, demographic and sectorial diversity in exposure to risks, and the challenges of developing effective long-term intervention strategies. The conference will conclude with the awarding of a “Young Researcher” prize, underlining the importance of emerging research in this field.
INRS, a key player in prevention
As the organizer of this event, the National Institute for Research and Safety for the prevention of occupational accidents and occupational diseases (INRS) is a reference in health and safety at work in France. With more than 30,000 requests per year, the institute provides technical, medical, legal, and documentary assistance to companies, occupational health services, employees, and institutions. Its services, free for companies under the general social security system, aim to make work safer by supporting prevention actors in the field.
For more information on INRS missions, visit the website www.inrs.fr.
