European week for Safety and Health at work

Monday October 19th marks the beginning of this year’s European Week for Safety and Health at Work and the launch of the new Healthy Workplaces Campaign from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA).  The theme of the new campaign is Healthy Workplaces Lighten the Load with the overall aim of raising awareness and promoting good practice in relation to preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Millions of workers across Europe suffer from work-related MSDs.  Approximately three in every five workers in the EU report MSD complaints, based on data from the sixth European Working Conditions Survey.

Given the high prevalence of work-related MSDs, it makes good business sense to invest in preventing their onset or occurrence.  MSDs are manageable and preventable, so workers can be protected and costs related to MSDs can be reduced.  MSDs affect individuals’ ability to work and are therefore a major cost burden for businesses and economies.  Such prevention and early intervention measures can protect workers, reduce absenteeism, increase productivity and lead to real savings for businesses.

The new EU-OSHA campaign will run until 2022. For further information please refer to the EU Agency campaign website