This checklist helps to identify the particular factors that can

contribute to workers developing WRULDs. Furthermore, it gives examples

about the practical steps that can be taken to prevent or reduce the

risks of workers sustaining WRULDs.

This checklist is aimed at helping to carry out a risk assessment and it

includes questions related to all aspects of manual handling and offers

examples of preventive measures that can help to improve handling and

therefore reduce risks.

This checklist includes questions on working postures of the back and neck, arms and hands, legs during sitting and standing tasks. It also gives examples of the type of action at a technical, organisational and individual level that can be put in place to prevent or reduce the risks caused by awkward postures.

This report brings together specialists from eight leading European institutes to produce an overview of the challenges facing the occupational safety and health community as regards management of occupational vibration risks. The situation in six Member States – Belgium, Germany, Spain, Finland, France and Poland – is examined, and research information is presented covering all Member States.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common workrelated problem in Europe. Almost 24 % of the EU-25 workers report suffering from backache and 22 % complain about muscular pains. Both conditions are more prevalent in the new Member States, 39 % and 36 % respectively.

Manual handling of loads (MHL) is any of the following activities carried out by one or more workers: lifting, holding, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving of a load. The load can be animate (a person or animal) or inanimate (an object). Though decreasing lately, the rate of workers in the EU-25 that report carrying or moving heavy loads, is still high (34.5 %), reaching 38.0 % in the EU-10.

Almost two thirds of EU workers report being exposed to repetitive hand and arm movements, and a quarter to vibrations from tools - significant risk factors for work-related neck and upper limb disorders (WRULDs). Many workers, in a wide range of jobs, develop WRULDs and they are the most common form of occupational disease in Europe, accounting for over 45 % of all occupational diseases.

This fact sheet highlights the key findings of the EU-OSHA’s ’Back to Work’ report, which focuses on the retention, reintegration and rehabilitation of workers with MSDs. It comes in two parts: a literature review on the effectiveness of work-related interventions, and an overview of policy initiatives in Europe and at the international level.

This fact sheet highlights the key findings of the EU-OSHA's prevention report, which focuses on the prevention of MSDs and the development and progress made in this area since the previous MSDs campaign in 2000. The report consists of two parts: a state-of-the-art review of the research literature with respect to work-related interventions preventing MSDs risks; and 15 case studies demonstrating how the problems have been solved at the workplace level.