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...

The hygiene institute was responsible for protecting the population against infectious diseases and wanted to reduce absenteeism and job turnover in the cleaning team, which consisted of 15 women, in such a way, that workers over 50 or 55 could remain in the job.

All the organisation of work associated with the grape harvesting and transportation to the processing equipment was implemented with the objective of reducing, as much as possible, the manual effort associated with the transportation of grapes from the vines to the processing equipment and...

Traditionally the collecting of fruits was performed using mobile ladders (extension ladders and double sided step ladders). The efficiency of the collection process was very low and the risk to accidents and health problems to the workers was very high. Simultaneously to reduce workload on the...

To make the harvest more effi­cient, the asparagus ridges are covered with a black/white film to influence the growth of the spears. Thus, the harvest can be restricted to once a day or even once every two days, with more ripe spears per covered meter. However, putting aside the film before cutting...

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...