Workplace injuries don’t just hurt employees, they disrupt operations, increase costs, and make retention harder. Yet, many companies still overlook ergonomics. Soon, they won’t have a choice.

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On June 1, 2025, New York’s Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Act will require large warehouse employers to conduct ergonomic evaluations, reduce injury risks, and train employees on prevention. Regulators are cracking down, and companies that don’t prioritize ergonomics now may be forced to.

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But smart businesses won’t wait for mandates. They’ll use ergonomics as a competitive advantage to boost efficiency, cut turnover, and create safer, more productive workplaces. Here’s why investing now makes sense.

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The Hidden Costs of Poor Ergonomics

Many businesses don’t realize how expensive ergonomic issues can be until they’re facing rising injury rates, lost productivity, and high turnover. A single musculoskeletal injury can lead to weeks or even months of lost work, and for businesses with high physical demands, those losses add up fast.

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Musculoskeletal Disorders Are a Productivity Killer

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the most common lost time workplace injuries, yet they often go unnoticed until they become severe. Employees suffering from back pain, repetitive strain injuries, or joint problems may try to push through the pain at first, but over time, their performance declines. Simple tasks take longer, mistakes increase, and efficiency drops.

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High-injury environments like warehouses and manufacturing facilities are particularly at risk. These injuries don’t just slow down individual workers, they disrupt entire workflows. When one employee is injured, others must pick up the slack, leading to increased strain on the rest of the team, more errors, and even further injuries.

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Workplace Injuries Drain Profits

Many companies don’t realize the true cost of workplace injuries until they see the numbers. In the U.S., healthcare expenses for musculoskeletal conditions alone exceed $420 billion annually. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

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Beyond medical expenses and workers’ compensation, hidden costs add up:

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• Lost productivity: Injured employees work slower, take time off, or require modified duties.

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• Overtime and rehiring costs: Other employees must take on extra shifts or new hires must be trained to fill gaps.

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• Reduced morale: A workplace with frequent injuries causes stress and frustration among employees, leading to higher turnover.

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When ergonomic risks go unchecked, these costs spiral out of control. Preventing injuries is always cheaper than dealing with the fallout.

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A Poor Safety Reputation Hurts Hiring and Retention

Workers know when a job is physically demanding, and they also know which companies take safety seriously. If a company gains a reputation for frequent injuries, recruiting and retaining employees becomes an uphill battle.

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In industries already struggling with labor shortages, failing to prioritize workplace safety makes hiring even harder. When they see co-workers getting injured, or experience it themselves, they’re more likely to leave for a company that values their well-being.

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With regulators taking a closer look at workplace ergonomics, New York is leading the way with new legislation aimed at reducing warehouse injuries. Companies operating in the state will need to act fast to stay compliant.

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The New York Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Act: What You Need to Know

As of June 1, 2025, large warehouse employers in New York must meet strict new ergonomic safety requirements.

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Key Compliance Requirements:

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• Annual Ergonomic Evaluations: A qualified ergonomist must assess workplace risk factors like repetitive motion, awkward postures, and high work pace.

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• Risk Reduction Strategies: Employers must implement solutions like workstation adjustments, job rotation, and scheduled breaks to minimize injury risks.

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• Mandatory Employee Training: Workers must be trained on injury prevention, early symptom detection, and workplace safety rights.

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• ‍Evaluation Transparency: Employees must have access to ergonomic assessments and understand how risks are being addressed.

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Who Must Comply?

This law applies to:

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• Warehouses with 100+ employees at a single location in New York

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• Companies with 1,000+ warehouse employees across multiple locations in New York

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The Bigger Picture

New York is one of the first states to pass a law specifically mandating ergonomic evaluations and risk reduction in warehouses, but it’s unlikely to be the last. As warehouse automation and high work quotas continue to increase physical demands on workers, regulators are paying more attention.

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California already has strict workplace ergonomics laws in industries like agriculture and healthcare, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see similar measures introduced for warehouses. States with strong labor protections, like Washington and Oregon, may also consider ergonomic-specific regulations in the coming years.

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But forward-thinking companies aren’t just reacting to legal changes. They’re using ergonomics as a strategic tool to reduce injuries, improve efficiency, and keep their workforce strong. The smartest businesses aren’t asking, “Do we have to do this?” They’re asking, “How much can we gain by doing it right?”

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Stay Ahead with TuMeke Ergonomics

Traditional ergonomic assessments are slow, expensive, and reactive. TuMeke Ergonomics changes that. Our AI-powered platform analyzes employee movements using just a smartphone camera. No wearables, no manual data collection, no disruption.

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• Real-time risk detection to prevent injuries before they happen

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• Instant feedback and risk scores for targeted improvements

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• Enterprise-wide reporting for smarter safety strategies

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With New York’s new warehouse safety law and more regulations on the horizon, businesses that take a proactive approach will gain the edge by reducing injuries, lower costs, and a building a safer, more productive workforce.

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Don’t wait for compliance deadlines. Future-proof your workplace with TuMeke Ergonomics. Schedule a demo today.

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