This synthesis report is part of a much larger project intended to support policy-makers at EU and national levels by providing an accurate picture of the prevalence and costs of MSDs across Europe, pulling together existing data from a number of relevant and reliable official statistical sources...

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...

Workers in the construction industry perform physically demanding work. The physical strain is often high. This can lead to complaints to the neck, shoulder and back, and thus even to sickness absence and disability. Almost half of the absenteeism in the construction industry is caused by these...

Checklist in order to make sure hairdressing salons are set up in a way MSDs are prevented. Among other issues the checklists addresses issues like: standing right, wearing shoes without heels, alternating tasks, ergonomic equipment, etc.

The main objective of the project was to reduce physical strain in order to lower the prevalence of knee and back problems and cut the rate of absenteeism. It wasn’t enough to change the working method of the workers but the task itself needed to be changed, by altering the street design (addressing...

Traditionally the collecting of fruits was performed using mobile ladders (extension ladders and double sided step ladders). The efficiency of the collection process was very low and the risk to accidents and health problems to the workers was very high. Simultaneously to reduce workload on the...

In greenhouse horticulture, cultivation of strawberries is done on high racks, so-called gullies. The strawberry plants are at a height of 150-160 cm. To pull the blossoms through and clear out the plants, the workers usually walk on 30 cm high stilts. Because of the height and resulting insecurity...