The Austrian labour inspection has published on its Website a detailed report analysing trends and issues linked to work-related absenteeism.

40 % of the time lost was attributed to musculo-skeletal disorders. Absenteeism rates have gone up, while average duration has drastically decreased. With increasing unemployment, absenteeism rates decrease. Nevertheless, absenteeism of unemployed workers have strongly increased. Ths study concludes that further research should be directed at the impact of working time arrangements, for example part-time.

The costs of workrelated absences have been estimated to amount to 2,1% to 3,1% of the GDP.

The Belgian Focal Point BeSWIC (Belgian Safe Work Information Center) has developed three short movies focusing on important causes of Musculoskeletal disorders: repetitive movements static postures back strain Each movie shows a common situation on the work floor where one of these risk factors have quite drastic consequences... Since there is no spoken story-telling, the movies can be used for different language groups. Watch the movies: Download the movies on the Belgian Focal Point website See the movies on YouTube

Les troubles musculo-squelettiques (TMS) constituent le problème de santé lié au travail le plus courant en Europe et affectent des millions de travailleurs. En effet, dans l’UE-27, 25 % des travailleurs souffrent de mal au dos et 23 % de douleurs musculaires.

L’Agence européenne pour la sécurité et la santé au travail lance un appel à nominations pour le huitième prix européen des bonnes pratiques dans le domaine de la sécurité et la santé au travail.