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...

This series of short informative case studies looks at a range of policy level initiatives across Europe and beyond aiming to prevent and manage work-related MSDs. The studies focus on achievements, factors contributing to their success and challenges encountered, and transferability to other...

This case study finds that the percentage of workers in Austria with a MSD is higher than the EU average. The AUVAsicher programme focuses particularly on MSD prevention and on SMEs. AUVA provides support to companies also through AUVAfit and BAUfit schemes. The AUVAfit programme has a specific...

The UK legislative framework addressing MSDs has been in place for nearly 40 years, and the policy approach is to inform and enable employers, encouraging them to address risks. The strategy under discussion is the latest in a series of initiatives stretching back 20 years. MSDs are addressed under...

A podiatrist in her early 40s has been working with neck problems for 8 years. As a result of the nature of her work, her condition has been exacerbated by adopting awkward postures and manoeuvring patients. This case study highlights the changes that have been and will be made to her main tasks to...

The Austrian Social Insurance Institution of Farmers (Sozialversicherungsanstalt der Bauern, SVB) started in 2003 with the health promotion project ‘BBB – Bewusst bewegt am Bauernhof’ (‘moving consciously at the farm’) and its ‘Bewegungsstraße’ programme. The programme offers a specific training for...

This website provides information about physiological norms and rules for manual handling of weights. It gives insights in the correct European law on this topic.