This case study looks at a participatory intervention at an ophthalmic lens manufacturing site in Ireland to reduce MSD risks for maintenance technicians. An internal safety and health coordinator organised the intervention that involved both maintenance technicians and machine operators.

The GZA Ziekenhuizen group of hospitals from Belgium wanted to cultivate a sustainable ergonomics culture throughout the entire organisation. To achieve this, they consulted with experts but also asked employees at all levels to actively participate. As a result, an ergonomics policy was developed...

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...

Servizi Italia Spa, a provider of laundry and sterilisation services to the healthcare sector, introduced novel operating methods and changes in its work sites to prevent MSDs. Workers were videoed while wearing Wi-Fi sensors to digitally visualise and analyse their movements to identify their MSD...

Swissport Cyprus Ltd workers who manually load and unload luggage, cargo and mail are at risk of MSDs, like back problems. The company tested, further developed and purchased a state-of-the-art wearable exoskeleton suit to improve manual handling at Larnaca and Paphos International Airports...

The type of physical effort required from maintenance workers at the Italian yarn company Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia increased the risk of MSDs. A participatory ergonomics intervention involving training to prevent MSDs was carried out, which improved the safety of 40 employees working with the...

Workers at the Dutch vegetable growing company Verdonk Broccoli were prone to develop MSDs, especially when lifting and stacking crates and boxes. To prevent MSDs and to reduce physical strain and manual lifting, palletisers were purchased. As a result, there are fewer health complaints and absences...