Most employees of German multinational software corporation SAP SE work at their desks, exposing them to ergonomic problems. SAP SE developed an extensive knowledge database containing resources and guidance to promote ergonomics and prevent MSDs. This includes advice on business car use and working at customer sites. Safety and health topics such as ergonomics are addressed in team meetings and physiotherapy treatments are also offered. Workers have become more aware of and engaged in dealing with topics involving prevention.

Employees of the Slovenian insurance company Zavarovalnica Triglav, d.d. mostly perform desk-based work and risk developing MSDs through computer use. The company used a holistic approach to address mental and physical health through ergonomic measures, promotion of physical activity and awareness raising for work in the office and from home. The result was greater motivation and decreased sick leave among staff. Zavarovalnica Triglav, d.d. is one of the winners of the 15th Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards competition.

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 as ergonomically designed patient transfer chairs to prevent MSDs. Mixed-generation cleaning teams and workshops were also part of the wide-ranging measures.

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 that successfully integrates ergonomics into corporate culture. GZA Ziekenhuizen is one of the commended examples of the 15th Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards competition.

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 considerably fewer absences due to back/spinal strain. Rohrdorfer Transportbeton GmbH is one of the commended examples of the 15th Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards competition.

MSDs were the main reason for sick leave at the Finnish children’s food factory Suomen Nestlé. Improving ergonomics was the solution. The company implemented various measures to improve working procedures and conditions to prevent MSDs, support the recovery of workers suffering from MSDs, and promote overall fitness and wellbeing. As a consequence, the number of sick days has dropped significantly. Suomen Nestlé is one of the commended examples of the 15th Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards competition.