Law firms operate in a uniquely demanding environment. Long hours, intense screen work, high levels of concentration and growing hybrid-working arrangements all place significant physical demands on staff. While performance and client service are rightly prioritised, Health & Safety (H&S) compliance and musculoskeletal risk (MSK) prevention in law firms are increasingly critical considerations for senior leadership.
For HR, Facilities and Health & Safety teams, the challenge is clear: how to meet legal obligations, protect staff wellbeing, and manage costs effectively, particularly across large, distributed workforces.
The H&S Responsibilities Law Firms Cannot Ignore
Under UK Health & Safety legislation, law firms have a duty of care to protect employees from risks associated with their work. This includes:
- Compliance with the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations
- Identifying and mitigating MSK risks linked to prolonged sitting and screen use
- Ensuring home and hybrid workers are assessed and supported appropriately
- Taking reasonable steps to prevent work-related injury and ill health
In practice, this means that DSE assessments are not optional, they are a legal requirement wherever staff use screens as a significant part of their role. This applies to solicitors, paralegals, trainees and support teams alike within law firms.
If you would like to know more about DSE assessments, why not read our guide: Everything you need to know about DSE
Why MSK Risks Are Particularly High in Legal Environments
Legal professionals are especially vulnerable to MSK issues due to:
- Extended periods of static sitting
- High screen time with limited movement
- Sub-optimal workstation set-ups, particularly at home
- Pressure-driven cultures that discourage regular breaks
If these risks are left unmanaged, they can lead to: increased sickness absence, reduced productivity and concentration, a higher likelihood of employer liability claims, and reputational risk if well-being commitments are not matched by action.
Proactive MSK prevention is therefore not only a wellbeing initiative, but it is also a risk-management strategy.
The Complexity of Hybrid Working Compliance
Hybrid working has added a further layer of complexity for law firms. Employers remain responsible for the health and safety of employees regardless of where they are working.
This raises common challenges:
- How do you assess hundreds of home workstations consistently?
- How do you track compliance and demonstrate due diligence?
- How do you intervene early without incurring excessive cost?
Traditional, fully manual DSE processes are often time-consuming, inconsistent and difficult to scale, particularly in larger firms.
A Smarter, Cost-Effective Solution: Digital DSE with ErgoPro
This is where a digital approach can make a significant difference.
ErgoPro is a purpose-built DSE assessment platform designed to help organisations meet their legal obligations efficiently and cost-effectively, without compromising on quality or outcomes.
For law firms, it enables:
- Standardised DSE assessments across office-based and remote staff
- Automated risk identification, flagging MSK issues early
- Clear audit trails, supporting H&S compliance and governance
- Targeted intervention, ensuring assessor time is used where it adds most value
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, ErgoPro helps firms prioritise higher-risk individuals, reducing unnecessary costs while strengthening compliance.
Supporting Prevention, Not Just Compliance
Effective MSK prevention is about more than ticking a regulatory box. It requires:
Educating staff on posture and movement
Encouraging regular variation in working position
Ensuring equipment supports the individual, not the other way around
When ergonomic issues are identified early, simple adjustments such as workstation changes or guidance on posture can prevent problems escalating into long-term injury.
This proactive approach aligns well with the legal sector’s broader focus on risk reduction, evidence-based decision-making and duty of care.
A Strategic Advantage for Law Firms
Law firms that take a structured, proactive approach to DSE and MSK risk management benefit from:
Reduced absence and presenteeism
Improved staff comfort, focus and productivity
Lower long-term health-related costs
Stronger employer brand and staff retention
Clear evidence of H&S compliance if challenged
In an increasingly competitive legal market, well-being and compliance are no longer peripheral issues; they are part of running a resilient, responsible practice.
Are you currently managing DSE assessments effectively?
H&S compliance and MSK prevention do not need to be complex or costly. With the right systems in place, law firms can protect their people, meet their legal obligations, and manage risk effectively — even within large hybrid workforces.
A structured DSE process, supported by digital tools such as ErgoPro and expert ergonomic input where required, allows firms to move from reactive problem-solving to proactive prevention. If you would like to see a demo of the system and arrange for a free trial, contact us today on 0330 3332 0880 or email enquiries@posturepeople.co.uk
