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 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...

Many of the tasks in childcare require a significant amount of lifting and many repetitive movements. Over time it becomes increasingly difficult for employees of a certain age to lift children. The kindergarten implemented a number of measures to reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders...

A scissor-lift table is a work table that can be raised and lowered to the desired position and thus reduce the physical requirements during product assembly. It can reduce the forward bending, reaching and awkward postures associated with performing work at a less-than-ideal work height.The scissor...

The initiative National Strategy for the Work Environment was introduced in 2011 to ensure a safe, secure and healthy work environment in Denmark. The National Working Environment Authority is responsible for the initiative. The strategy was further extended and improved in 2015.

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...

The company Seehafen Kiel Stevedoring operates in the port with heavy-lift cargo, whether it is about heavy goods, container handling or assembling machinery. To lift the cargo they use stabil but heavy chains, that can only be managed by two workers. Therefore, the company developped a strong and...