Our partners
European Federation of Cleaning Industries (EFCI)
"Occupational risk prevention and a reduction of work accidents are permanent priorities of the EFCI and its member associations. Staff training must systematically integrate employee occupational health and safety, whether conducted outside or within a company, whether formal (training sessions) or informal (in the field). The EFCI and its social partner UNI-Europa have produced a general manual on the protection of health and safety in office cleaning. The European social partners intend to actively pursue their work in the area of training and awareness raising of employers and employees to occupational risk prevention and decreasing the occurrence of work-related accidents. Due to the importance of musculoskeletal disorders in the industry, the EFCI and UNI-Europa have started to develop a manual on ergonomics in cleaning activities, providing concrete illustrations of good and bad work postures in the framework of current cleaning activities."
Andreas Lill,
Director General, European Federation of Cleaning Industries (EFCI)
Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry, European Commission
“The Euro Info Centre Network was established in 1987 to inform SMEs about the opportunities and challenges of the single European market. The network fully supports the European Agency's current campaign and its efforts to make SME workplaces healthier.”
Maive Rute,
Deputy SME Envoy and Director for Promotion of SMEs' Competitiveness
Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry
Energy Networks Association
"The Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the industry body funded by UK gas and electricity transmission and distribution license holders. We have identified the management of musculoskeletal risks as one of our biggest challenges. ENA are committed to meeting this challenge and fully support the aims of the Lighten the load 2007 campaign. ENA, together with our members, look forward to actively contributing to the campaign and welcome the opportunity to share best practice across all industry sectors and throughout Europe."
Nick Goodall,
Chief Executive, Energy Networks Association
European Network of Safety and Health Professional Organisations (ENSHPO)
"The European Network of Safety and Health Professional Organisations (ENSHPO), welcomes the European campaign on musculoskeletal disorders (MSD’s). MSDs affect millions of workers across industries throughout Europe every year. ENSHPO, the collective voice of European Safety and Health Professionals, wholly supports and will endeavour to promote the “Lighten the load” campaign throughout Europe."
Giancarlo Bianchi,
Chair, ENSHPO
Eurogypsum
"Excellence in professionalism and attitudes of working hard and fast to tight deadlines are key drivers for the plasterer, plasterboard and plaster block erecters as well as for dry liners. These cultural values may sometimes make it difficult for them to do their jobs in a way that minimises the risk of MSDs. A European multi-stakeholder campaign explaining MSDs at work, their symptoms, how they are diagnosed, how they might be prevented, and how they can be treated is a must for an improvement in health and safety in the workplace."
Serge Azaïs,
President of Eurogypsum
Federation of Occupational Health Nurses within the European Union (FOHNEU)
"As the largest single group delivering health care at the workplace Occupational Health Nurses are in a pivotal position to contribute to the identification and elimination of risks and implementation of health promotion strategies. We already play a major role in bridging the gap from theory to practice and establishing the ‘help to self-help’ principles through the concept of empowerment. Reduction of long-term sickness absence through return to work rehabilitation programmes in connection with MSDs will result in human and economic benefits at individual, company, organisation, national and EU levels. Good Health is Good Business."
Julie Staun,
President, Federation of Occupational Health Nurses within the European Union (FOHNEU)
Senior Labour Inspectors’ Committee
"Labour Inspectorates in the EU have launched an inspection and communication campaign to prevent lower back disorders, targeting the transport and healthcare sectors. SLIC fully supports Lighten the load and will focus on lower back disorders which result from the manual handling of loads as our contribution to the campaign."
Senior Labour Inspectors’ Committee (SLIC)
Directorate-General, Employment and Social Affairs, European Commission
"The European Commission welcomes this initiative by the European Agency for Health and Safety at Work. It complements a major campaign by the national labour inspectorates and the Commission's Committee of Senior Labour Inspectors (SLIC). Injuries caused by musculoskeletal disorders are a major contributor to work-related injuries across the European Union. Such injuries are entirely preventable. Reducing such work-related injuries is a key objective of the Commission's health and safety at work strategy 2007-2012 and it requires the commitment of all parties, national authorities, social partners and others. The Commission is keen to play its role."
Nikolaus G. van der Pas,
Director General, Employment and Social Affairs, European Commission
EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
"Tackling MSDs is a priority for the EU if we are to create more and better jobs in Europe. Given the demographic change, people will probably have to work longer and this makes it even more imperative that we tackle this problem now. It is essential if European workers are to enjoy not only better quality jobs but a better quality of life and a higher standard of living. We can increase productivity and therefore prosperity in the EU if we manage to improve the situation of days lost to MSDs."
Vladimír Špidla, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
Visteon
"Visteon is committed to providing a safe and healthy work place, and protecting and conserving the environment. These values need to be shared by employees at all levels and assignments, and in all initiatives in which the company participates, like the European campaign 2007 MSDs Lighten the load."
Burkhard Pelzer, Occupational Health & Ergonomics Europe Visteon Deutschland GMBH (Global Automative Supplier)
Local Government Employers
"Local Government Employers represent English and Welsh local authorities as employers. Local government services rely heavily upon people for delivery. Our national absence data indicates that musculoskeletal injuries account for around 23% of all sickness absence and we recognise therefore this is an issue which must be tackled. LGE supports the Lighten the load campaign and encourages the active involvement of local authorities. LGE will work to identify good practice in MSD prevention and seek to share that both within the UK and across Europe. LGE also encourages local authorities to enter the competition for the Lighten the load good practice awards."
Jan Parkinson, Managing Director Local Government Employers
German EU Council Presidency
"Jobs must be designed in such way that the employability of workers is preserved until they reach the pension age. The European Weeks are important campaigns to reach this aim. Our programmes on musculoskeletal disorders have already achieved many positive results in Germany. Between 2001 and 2005, the number of sick days caused by musculoskeletal disorders were reduced from 140 million to 98 million and the output losses were lowered from 12.4 billion Euro to 8.8 billion Euro. But losses and, above all, the associated human suffering, are still too high. If the Commission launches additional measures, they will be supported by Germany. As far as occupational safety and health is concerned, Germany will be pleased to take on a pioneering role in Europe."
Rudolf Anzinger, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry
of Labour and Social Affairs for the German EU Council Presidency
Confederazione Italiana Sindicati Lavoratori
"Les minorités ethniques vous remercient et demandent aux puissants du monde de vous donner plus de moyens pour atteindre l´objectif dans les plus brefs délais." Souleymane Sanghare,
Departement Politique Migratoire (Italie)
Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) – Andalucía
"Las enfermedades profesionales son en España y Andalucía la parte invisible de la prevención de riesgos, y la causa de infinidad de bajas por enfermedad, enfermedades crónicas, y una causa de muerte como consecuencia del trabajo. Erradicar las causas que las provocan es una de las prioridades sindicales de CCOO de Andalucía" Francisco Carbonero Cantador,
Secretario general de CCOO Andalucía
Comisiones Obreras (CCOO)
"Con agradecimiento por vuestro trabajo y vuestra dedicación a una causa tan importante y tan justa. Tenéis todo nuestro apoyo. Debemos conseguir entre todos sensibilizar a la sociedad, empujar a las empresas, educar a los trabajadores y obligar a las Administraciones Públicas para lograr lo antes posible que los trabajadores no mueran y no sufran cuando van a trabajar para 'ganarse la vida'. Enhorabuena y gracias".
José Maria Fidalgo, Secretario General
Confédération européenne des syndicats
"Comme vous le savez je suis parfaitement impliqué et en accord avec le contenu de cette campagne fondamentale, tant au niveau personnel qu’en qualité de secrétaire confédéral de la CES"
Walter Cerfeda, Secrétaire Confédéral CES (Confédération européenne des syndicats)
Comité économique et social européen (CESE)
"Dans un monde du travail en évolution constante et avec des rythmes de plus en plus accentués, la campagne menée par EU-OSHA contre les troubles musculo-squelétiques est de la plus grande importance et mérite tout le soutien possible. Le CESE et en particulier le groupe des salariés, qui ont les meilleures relations avec l´agence européenne, se sentent particulièrement concernés par cette campagne.
Bien amicalement...et bon succès!"
Antonio Giacche,
Responsable pour la communication et les relations extérieures du secretariat du Groupe II-CESE
Filtea CGIL (UE ETUF-THC)
"La salute delle lavortrici nel TAC, è molto importante è un atto di civiltà e insieme di corretta competitività. Salute e sicurezza dei processi produttivi salute e sicurezza dei prodotti tengono insieme nello svicuppo sostenibile – lavoratrici e consumatori"
Valeria Fedeli, Secretaria Generale Nazionale Filtea CGil e Presidente UE ETUF-THC
European Federation of Building and Wood-Workers
"11 million workers in the construction industry count on real improvements to working conditions to save their health. For 70% of them MSDs is the main problem. It is preventing them earning a living, and it also affects them when they are getting older. So the EFBWW goes for clear rules and standards, and their proper implementation. Let us go on the offensive for better, lighter work."
Harrie Bijen, General Secretary
European Mine, Chemical and Energy Workers’ Federation (EMCEF)
"Jeder Arbeitsunfall und jeder einzelne Berufserkrankung ist eine menschliche Tragoedie und mus vermieden werden. Daher setzen wir auf weitere gute Zusammenarbeit." Reinhard Reibsch,
General Secretary - (EMCEF)
European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU)
"Our public services depend on our members - be it an energy worker checking your electricity supply, a waste worker collecting your rubbish, a care worker assisting the elderly, or a health worker keeping you alive. These essential services need standards that guarantee safe working practices so that we can guarantee quality". Brian Synnott, Campaign Officer 'Quality Public Services-Quality Life' - EPSU
European Public Services Union (EPSU)
"Lighten the load - an important campaign for millions of workers in health and social services! We will want to be involved!"
Carola Fischbach-Pyttel,
General Secretary, European Public Services Union (EPSU)
European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF)
"For transport workers, especially women in physically demanding jobs, musculoskeletal disorders are on the rise. More attention must be given to gender-specific issues of this problem. It affects all the citizens of Europe since women ensure the future of our nations and worlds."
Erika Young, Chair off ETF Women’s Committee
European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF)
"For transport workers MSDs is a big problem, in particular bus and lorry drivers but also dockers, just to mention some professions in transport. We welcome the OSHA campaign. We guarantee our support and we wish for all workers concerned a successful outcome". Sabine Trier, Deputy General Secretary
ETUI-REHS
"If musculoskeletal disorders are to be avoided, workers need to be trained so as to ensure that they work in safe conditions, and trade union officers need to know how to use the laws and agreements on health and safety to protect workers' interests. Good luck with the campaign." Jeff Bridgford, Director of Education Department
ETUI-REHS
"Improving and changing working conditions in Europe is a key priority for workers and trade unions. Highlighting the impact of work and its effects on the body is crucial. The MSD campaign is a unique opportunity for trade unions to bring the topic of suffering to light and for more improvements." Marc Sapi,
Director of the Health and Safety Department
European Federation of Police (EUROCOP)
"Lighten the load is important to police officers from the perspective of back injuries suffered by officers carrying equipment necessary for them to carry out their day-to-day duties. They have a utility belt that is becoming heavier and ways are now being sought through health to safety to try and distribute the weight more evenly." Norrie Flowers, Chairman Scottish Police Federation
Dirección de seguridad y salud laboral por FAFFE - Junta de Andalucía
"Estamos en la dirección ajustada a las necesidades de los trabajadores cuando los profesionales de la ergonomía y psicosociología nos dedicamos a crear programas e intervenciones que faciliten la prevención de los TME. Confío en que con método y constancia 'aligerar la carga sea una mejora para todos'. contribuir a esta labor desde mi trayectoria laboral será un verdadero desafío, en el que llevo tiempo empeñada." Ester Berral, Experto en ergonomia y Psicosociología, adscrita a la dirección de seguridad y salud laboral por FAFFE
Federación de comunicación y transporte (CCOO)
"Nuestra federación afronta las enfermedades que sufrimos las personas trabajadoras de forma activa, haciendo estudios y formando a los trabajadores y trabajadoras de las comunicaciones y el transporte. por eso apoyamos y valoramos muy positivamente el trabajo que realiza la Agencia europea para la seguridad y la Salud en el trabajo de Bilbao. Los Sindicatos tenemos un importante reto ante la seguridad y la salud de nuestros afiliados/as y sabemos el importante papel que deben jugar los convenios colectivos." Mª Antonia Martínez
Fédération Syndicale Européenne du Textile, de l'Habillement, du Cuir (FSE-THC)
"Je Soutiens activement la nouvelle campagne de l’Agence Européenne sur les TMS. C’est un problème majeur dans les secteurs THC et nous avons déjà mené une série d’actions sectorielles et/ou à travers les COEE (EWC). Mais il faut plus! Bonne chance." Patrick Itschert,
Secrétaire Général de la FSE-THC
International Labour Organization (ILO)
"The ILO is delighted with your initiative to launch this campaign on musculoskeletal disorders. This is indeed one of the growing problems in our modern society, still underestimated or ignored in many cases. I am sure that this will be another area of work where the ILO and the Bilbao Agency will continue to work in synergy and in a complementary manner, tackling the European and global dimensions of the problem on the basis of the same values and objectives." Eddy Laurijssen,
Director of the ILO Brussels Office
Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU)
"This European campaign on MSDs will be enormously helpful to workers and their trade unions in Ireland. We in SIPTU have been seeking to highlight this issue, particularly for the many women workers suffering from what we call 'unrecognised MSDs'." Rosheen Callender,
National Equality Secretary, SIPTU (Ireland's largest trade union)
European Transport Workers' Federation
"Carrying heavy loads and cargoes is a dirty business for all dockers and seafarers. That is why your campaign is of extreme importance to all our members organised in seafarers' and dockers' unions."
Jacek Cegielski (Solidarność),
Vice-President, European Transport Workers' Federation, Maritime Section
Transnet
"Eisenbahner und Eisenbahnerinnen arbeiten rund um die Uhr, bei Tag und Nacht, an Sonn- und Feiertagen und bei jedem wetter. Auf Dauer geht das ganz schön 'auf die knochen'. Viele Kolleginnen und Kollegen sind deshalb schon mit 50 Jahren erwerbsunfähig. Gesundheitsprävention und Arbeitsschutz haben für Eisenbahner und Eisenbahnerinnen einen sehr hohen Stellenwert. Deshalb unterstützen wir die Kampagne ausserordentlich und wünschen der Initiative viel Erfolg."
Alois Weis, GewerkschaftssekretÄr der TRANSNET
Unión general de trabajadores (UGT) ESPAÑA
"La salud y seguridad de los trabajadores tiene que ser un elemento fundamental para las políticas de la Unión Europea, con un objetivo común: conseguir una deducción constante y significativa de la siniestralidad laboral y un mayor reconocimiento de las enfermedades profesionales." Dolors Hernández Navarro, Responsable de Salud Laboral y Medio Ambiente
Industrial Minerals Association - Europe
"Industrial minerals producers care about the issue of musculoskeletal disorders as the health and safety of our workers is at the heart of IMA-Europe’s founding principles. Our members do their best to avoid handling materials that will injure anyone. We therefore fully support the initiative of this European campaign which will provide full information on the nature of musculoskeletal disorders and will contribute to a wider use of the good practices for their prevention. We are confident that such a campaign should be highly beneficial for all the members of our Association." Claude Stenneler, President of IMA-Europe
Austrian Trade Union Confederation
"Die Gesundheit am Arbeitsplatz ist das wichtigste Gut! Somit ist dieses Thema auch ein Kernanliegen der Gewerkschaftsbewegung. Alles Gute und viel Erfolg.“ Wilhelm Haberzttl, OEGB Austrian Trade Union Confederation
RSI Action
"21st century work pressures and increasing levels of technology at work are resulting in high levels of RSI injury and disability, many of which are chronic. Compliance with health and safety regulations would prevent most of these injuries. The European MSD campaign is an ideal opportunity to initiate lasting improvements in RSI awareness and prevention."
Stephen Fisher, Chairman of Trustees, RSI Action
