Austria: Preventing musculoskeletal disorders in a large hospital through staff involvement and an age-sensitive approach

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Austria: Preventing musculoskeletal disorders in a large hospital through staff involvement and an age-sensitive approach

Austria: Preventing musculoskeletal disorders in a large hospital through staff involvement and an age-sensitive approach

Type of item
Case study
Country
Austria
Languages

English

Provider
Provider (English)
EU-OSHA
Provider (Original)
EU-OSHA

Description

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. University Hospital Vienna is one of the winners of the 15th Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards competition.

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Language of original language description

English

Other data

Hazards
Awkward postures
Manual handling of loads
Repetitive movements/work
Health effects
Back pain or injury
Upper limb disorders
Lower limb disorders
Worker groups covered (vulnerable groups etc.)
Ageing and older workers
Prevention measures
Elimination of hazards
Worker participation
Technical measures e.g. ergonomic equipment
Reducing/minimising the risk by organisational measures, e.g. reducing the number of workers exposed, job rotation
Purpose of the material
General information
Awareness raising
Risk assessment
Target audience
All (no specific target audience)
Priority area
Prevention
Year
2022