Work-related musculoskeletal disorders : prevention report

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can interfere with activities at work and can lead to reduced productivity, sickness absence and chronic occupational disability. The aim of this report is to systematic evaluate the effectiveness of interventions at the workplace since 2002 and to provide practical examples with respect to successful prevention of MSDs. Among the main findings of the literature review was that there is strong evidence that technical ergonomic measures can reduce the workload on the back and upper limbs without the loss of productivity and moderate evidence that these measures can also reduce the occurrence of MSDs. Fifteen case studies are presented from a range of occupations and sectors across Europe in order to share the good practice examples with respect to prevention of MSDs. Among others, the case studies cover the health care, pharmaceutical and construction sectors, and the sewing, waste and food industries. Most of the case studies emphasise that the cost/benefit ratio of an ergonomic intervention is a crucial factor for its approval and success. The case studies demonstrated that the principles that are important for successful implementation of workplace interventions include, among other things, sponsorship from the management so that appropriate resources are made available to improve the working environment.