Farming involves a lot of repetitive work. Manual handling and lifting in particular can cause strain and awkward positions. Outdoor work and specificities of terrain make the design of agricultural machinery challenging. This discussion paper looks at the use of mechanisation to reduce the risk of...

This article presents the data sheets developed by INAIL-CONTARP to assess the risk of many non-standardisable repetitive tasks in the sector. The method used was the OCRA checklist. This method has proved to be reliable and allows users to draw up a map of the risk for repetitive work.

The brochure, specifically designed for order pickers, answers three questions: What is a musculoskeletal disorder? What are the risks of MSDs? And most importantly, how can MSDs be prevented? The brochure, written by PREVENT, is illustrated with photos showing real work situations.

The main objective of the project was to reduce physical strain in order to lower the prevalence of knee and back problems and cut the rate of absenteeism. It wasn’t enough to change the working method of the workers but the task itself needed to be changed, by altering the street design (addressing...

The Lighten the Load campaign featured the Good Practice Awards, which recognise organisations that have made outstanding and innovative contributions to tackling MSDs. The awards promote and encourage practical solutions in workplaces and share this good practice around Europe. This publication...