This leaflet provides information and exercises for everyday working life. The excercises can be easily integrated into our everyday work in many places and can be done almost everywhere. The leaflet can be folded to a small booklet, that fits in every pocket. The leaflet can be downloaded, but also ordered in paper form (the contact form is available at: https://www.lia.nrw.de/service/publikationen-downloads/LIA_praxis/index.html).

Since 2011, the Palais de la Méditerranée hotel in Nice has embarked on a participatory approach aimed at improving the working conditions of the staff. The project required material investments and the training of employees. For example: in the laundry, the machines were raised to prevent the laundry workers from bending over when loading and unloading the laundry. Valets and receptionists have been fitted with sit-stand seats to prevent venous disorders and MSDs associated with prolonged standing.

This case study takes place in the center of Lille. The Hotel "L’Arbre Voyageur" has just opened in a building that previously housed the Polish Consultate. The prevention of occupational risks was integrated from the design of this hotel, according to a participatory approach involving the teams. He also benefited in particular from the experience acquired by the manager in renovating another establishment and from the expertise of Carsat Nord-Picardie.

This case study presents the work done by the working group from the Alès Cévennes hospital center  to prevent MSDs as well as Psychosocial risks in its stretcher service. To assess MSDs, a questionnaire was distributed to stretcher bearers. The link between MSDs and Psychosocial risks appeared: for example, when the stretcher bearer has to stop his movement to move a disturbing object, the act of restarting the trolley requires a lot of physical effort.

The food industry is frequently at risk for low back pain and musculoskeletal disorders. Preventive actions can nevertheless be taken at various scales, like what the Berry small company Pâtes Fabre has implemented. As an example, the emptying of the pasta shelves to be bagged is no longer done directly in the high hopper but at ground level. Their content is then transported by a conveyor. 

The case study presents the Smictom in Alsace, which manages the collection and treatment of household waste in 90 municipalities. This establishment is constantly examining how to improve working conditions. The technical and organizational changes in collections, waste collection centers and its sorting center are aimed in particular at sparing the backs of staff in the establishment.

This case study looks at the problems faced in nurseries. Indeed, It is not uncommon for nursery staff to suffer from low back problems, often the cause of significant absenteeism. In Strasbourg, in the Bas-Rhin, the two nurseries of the Stenger Bachmann foundation have been working for several years to prevent musculoskeletal disorders with encouraging results. A new organization of services with groups of children of mixed ages has recently been established.

This case study presents the Girardeau company, based in Beaurepaire in Vendée, specialized in masonry and structural work. Faced with the reality of a physical job which puts the backs of workers to the test, management has implemented a prevention approach which aims in particular to limit the carrying of loads. Limiting manual handling of loads involves for example supplying companions with raw materials as close as possible to their workstations.

In this case study, the Boutté company, in the Somme, is specialized in bar turning. Aware of the risks associated with carrying a load, management and workers representatives have worked together to reduce them. By focusing on the installation of conveyors and the acquisition of handling aids, they have transformed the daily lives of employees.