This case study highlights the successful collaboration of management, carpenters, an ergonomist and architect to create a safe and ergonomic workplace. The ergonomist facilitated the project and worked closely with two carpenters to analyse risks and define specifications for the new workshop.

Workers at the Austrian materials company Rohrdorfer Transportbeton GmbH were at risk from MSDs such as back strain from manually lifting and emptying heavy packages into concrete mixer trucks. Thanks to a scissor lift introduced by the company to reduce MSDs, employees now work more safely with...

The GZA Ziekenhuizen group of hospitals from Belgium wanted to cultivate a sustainable ergonomics culture throughout the entire organisation. To achieve this, they consulted with experts but also asked employees at all levels to actively participate. As a result, an ergonomics policy was developed...

The work of some 600 older support staff at University Hospital Vienna, the largest hospital in Austria, is physically strenuous. A new work environment designed to accommodate this ageing workforce was needed. With the involvement and participation of workers, the hospital introduced measures such...

Swissport Cyprus Ltd workers who manually load and unload luggage, cargo and mail are at risk of MSDs, like back problems. The company tested, further developed and purchased a state-of-the-art wearable exoskeleton suit to improve manual handling at Larnaca and Paphos International Airports...

This series of short informative case studies looks at a range of policy level initiatives across Europe and beyond aiming to prevent and manage work-related MSDs. The studies focus on achievements, factors contributing to their success and challenges encountered, and transferability to other...