The Dutch cleaning services company Hago Next was finding it difficult to retain experienced employees and attract new ones because the work is physically demanding. To reduce physical strain and prevent MSDs, the company has implemented a broad range of measures to improve working practices and conditions. Hago Next is one of the commended examples of the 15th Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards competition.

Workers at the Dutch vegetable growing company Verdonk Broccoli were prone to develop MSDs, especially when lifting and stacking crates and boxes. To prevent MSDs and to reduce physical strain and manual lifting, palletisers were purchased. As a result, there are fewer health complaints and absences, and a 30% reduction in staff turnover. Verdonk Broccoli is one of the commended examples of the 15th Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards competition.

The production of pork loin at the Spanish meat company Elaborados Julián Mairal is a process that involves considerable physical effort by their workers. To prevent MSDs, managers and employees consulted with an external prevention service. This resulted in the installation of new equipment for the production process. Employees now work more efficiently and safely. Elaborados Julián Mairal is one of the commended examples of the 15th Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards competition.

In 2020, MSDs were responsible for about a third of absences at Siun sote – Joint municipal authority for North Karelia social and health services. The Finnish organisation produced a comprehensive ergonomics expertise action plan for care and support work. This ergonomics model emphasises MSD prevention by training and raising the awareness of social and healthcare workers. Siun sote is one of the commended examples of the 15th Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards competition.

With the active participation of workers, the Latvian metalworking company SIA Silkeborg Spaantagning Baltic created a safe and ergonomic workplace by identifying, designing and developing practical solutions for handling and lifting of heavy loads. These customised solutions, such as a tool holder to lift 100 kg motors, reduced the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and ensured improved working postures and ergonomic lifting. SIA Silkeborg Spaantagning Baltic is one of the winners of the 15th Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards competition.

The type of physical effort required from maintenance workers at the Italian yarn company Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia increased the risk of MSDs. A participatory ergonomics intervention involving training to prevent MSDs was carried out, which improved the safety of 40 employees working with the industrial plant. Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia is one of the commended examples of the 15th Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards competition.

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. Involving workers in the testing was important. The result was an improvement in efficiency and productivity and a lower risk of injury and MSDs. Swissport Cyprus Ltd is one of the winners of the 15th Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards competition.

A risk assessment using motion-capture technology to identify ergonomic risks was performed at F&F Ltd, a small family-run sweets factory in Hungary. The company planned and designed technical modifications for its production line based on ergonomic principles to improve occupational safety and health conditions and to reduce MSDs. The workers themselves and external experts contributed to finding solutions. F&F Ltd is one of the winners of the 15th Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards competition.

Servizi Italia Spa, a provider of laundry and sterilisation services to the healthcare sector, introduced novel operating methods and changes in its work sites to prevent MSDs. Workers were videoed while wearing Wi-Fi sensors to digitally visualise and analyse their movements to identify their MSD risks. Solutions included adjustments to working heights, an automatic bed sheet unravelling system, job rotation and on-the-job training. The company also increased awareness of and knowledge about risks to health.

Traditional nets are produced manually by operators at UAB Vonin Lithuania, a professional fishing equipment manufacturer, leading to musculoskeletal disorders. As the tasks could not be mechanised, the work was analysed to identify safe working techniques to reduce the loads on their body. As well as training workers in the safe work methods, task-rotation and exercise sessions were introduced. UAB Vonin Lithuania is one of the winners of the 15th Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards competition.