Sweden: Women’s work environment and MSDs prevention

This case study reports on an initiative in Sweden to raise awareness of and improve women’s occupational health in general and to reduce their risks of developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in particular. Under the initiative, labour inspectors were given training in mainstreaming gender into their everyday practice.

They then carried out inspections targeting workplaces and sectors in which women predominate and initiated discussions with employers where risk prevention measures were found to be inadequate. The initiative was successful in raising awareness and helping to change thinking, but change is needed at the political level to mainstream gender in policymaking.