Category: Musculoskeletal injuries

New EU-OSHA report on musculoskeletal risks in the health and social care sector

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Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) remain the most prevalent occupational health issue in the European health and social care sector, affecting millions of workers and contributing to absenteeism and reduced productivity. A new EU-OSHA report provides a comprehensive review of the main risk factors, including:

  • high workload and poor work organisation,
  • manual handling of patients,
  • repetitive movements and awkward postures,
  • inadequate ergonomic design and equipment,
  • lack of tailored training,
  • age-related challenges, and
  • psychosocial risks such as violence and harassment.

The report highlights that prevention requires ergonomic workplace design, participatory approaches, safe patient-handling programmes, targeted training, and organisational support. Special attention is needed for older, female, and migrant workers, who are disproportionately affected.

The publication also offers policy pointers to strengthen prevention, training, and support measures at workplace and EU level.

🔗 Read the summary here: EU-OSHA publication

National Ergonomics Societies – Autumn Activities in Turkey and Poland

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The autumn of 2025 will be particularly rich in events organised by national ergonomics societies, offering opportunities for researchers, professionals, and students to share knowledge and strengthen collaboration.

31st National Ergonomics Congress – Turkey

The Turkish Ergonomics Society, together with Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University, Cappadocia University, Uşak University, and Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, is pleased to invite participants to the 31st National Ergonomics Congress. The congress will take place on 9–11 October 2025 at the NEVÜ Cultural and Congress Center in the Cappadocia region. The congress provides a national platform to discuss the latest research, applications, and innovations in ergonomics across diverse fields.
👉 More information

XXXII International Seminar of Ergonomics – Poland

For over 30 years, the International Seminar of Ergonomics has maintained a unique and intimate character, with fewer than 100 participants fostering direct exchange of experiences. The upcoming 32nd edition will take place in Poznań, hosted at the Faculty of Management Engineering of the Poznan University of Technology.

This year’s leading theme is “Ergonomics: Evolution of Challenges & Solutions”, with a broad spectrum of topics including:

  • Evolution of ergonomic methods
  • New challenges in ergonomics and Industry 4.0
  • Ergonomic design, product and process ergonomics
  • Ergonomics in occupational risk assessment and safety management
  • Medical sciences and cognitive ergonomics
  • Education, training, and new applications of ergonomics

👉 More information

💡 These events illustrate how national ergonomics societies continue to play a crucial role in developing the discipline, addressing new challenges, and fostering international cooperation.

Vacancy Announcement: Ergonomist Position at the General Secretariat of the Council

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The General Secretariat of the Council (GSC) is seeking a qualified Ergonomist (Temporary Agent AD.6) to join the Safety Unit of the Safety and Security Directorate in Brussels. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the well-being of staff, delegates, and contractors by ensuring safe working conditions and ergonomic best practices at one of the EU’s key institutions.

About the Role

The selected candidate will work within the Safety Policy and Advice Sector, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to improve workplace ergonomics. Key responsibilities include:

  • Conducting individual preventive ergonomic assessments to reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
  • Performing analyses and interventions in physical and cognitive ergonomics.
  • Providing expert advice on integrating ergonomics and human factors into IT application design.
  • Developing policies related to occupational safety, hygiene, and ergonomics.
  • Conducting surveys, drawing up statistics, and prioritizing risk-prevention measures.
  • Organizing specialized staff training and delivering presentations.
  • Contributing to the implementation of ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety guidelines.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Be a national of an EU Member State.
  • Have at least five years of full-time professional experience in ergonomics.
  • Hold a Master’s degree in a related field, with additional specialist training in ergonomics (60 ECTS credits).
  • Be a certified European Ergonomist (Eur.Erg.) or hold an equivalent professional registration.
  • Demonstrate fluency in English and French (C1 level minimum).
  • Show strong analytical skills, creative problem-solving, and a commitment to improving workplace safety.

Why to Apply

  • Competitive monthly salary of €6,681.51 (before deductions).
  • A four-year contract with the possibility of renewal.
  • A dynamic, collaborative work environment committed to diversity and inclusion.
  • The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on occupational safety policies at the EU level.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via the EU CV Online platform by 21 February 2025, 12:00 CET. All relevant fields must be completed, and supporting documents (certificates, diplomas) may be required at any stage. Only online applications will be considered.

For further details on the role, eligibility criteria, and selection process, visit the EU CV Online portal or contact gsc-ta-selections@consilium.europa.eu, clearly indicating the reference CONS/1/2025/TA-AD/ORG.5.D.S1.

For the official announcement, go to https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/general-secretariat/jobs/vacancies/cons12025ta-adorg5ds1/.

This post was generated by AI and reviewed by a human.

New Ergonomic Resources from OHCOW

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We are pleased to inform you about a valuable resource from The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc. (OHCOW) that can significantly enhance your knowledge and practices in workplace ergonomics. OHCOW is a prominent organization dedicated to improving workplace health and safety in Ontario, Canada, and its focus on ergonomics provides critical insights and practical solutions to prevent occupational injuries and diseases.

Injury Prevention through Ergonomics

OHCOW’s Injury Prevention page is an excellent resource highlighting the importance of ergonomics in the workplace. Poor ergonomic practices are a leading cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and OHCOW provides comprehensive information to help mitigate these risks. The page covers:

  • Ergonomic Risk Factors: Identification of repetitive motions, awkward postures, and excessive force as key contributors to MSDs.
  • Practical Solutions: Guidelines for proper workstation setup, tool and equipment adjustments, and safe manual handling techniques.
  • Ergonomic Assessments: Expert evaluations of workplace setups with tailored recommendations for improvement.
  • Educational Materials: Brochures, guides, and checklists that serve as useful references for ongoing ergonomic enhancements.

These resources are designed to help workers and employers create safer and more comfortable work environments, reduce the incidence of MSDs, and promote overall workplace health.

Ergonomics Podcasts

OHCOW also offers an engaging podcast series featuring several episodes specifically on ergonomics. These podcasts provide in-depth discussions and practical advice from experts in the field:

  1. Ergonomics in the Workplace
    This is an overview of workplace ergonomics, including the importance of ergonomic design, proper posture, and regular breaks to avoid repetitive strain injuries.
  2. Office Ergonomics: Creating a Healthy Workspace
    Tips for setting up an ergonomic office environment, addressing the correct placement of computer monitors, keyboards, and chairs, and the impact of prolonged sitting.
  3. Manual Handling and Ergonomics
    There are strategies for minimizing injury risks in manual handling jobs, including proper lifting techniques, the use of assistive devices, and the importance of training.
  4. Ergonomic Solutions for Remote Work
    This article provides advice on setting up a home office to address the unique ergonomic challenges of remote work. Emphasis is placed on selecting ergonomic furniture and equipment and incorporating regular breaks and physical activity.

These podcasts are an excellent way to stay informed about the latest trends and best practices in ergonomics, helping you create safer and more comfortable work environments.

The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc. (OHCOW) provides essential resources that can benefit all members of the Federation of European Ergonomics Societies. Their comprehensive injury prevention programs and engaging podcasts offer valuable information and practical solutions to enhance workplace health and safety. We encourage you to explore these resources and integrate their insights into your practices.

For more information and to access these resources, please visit OHCOW’s website.

Musculoskeletal health promotion starts at school

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According to EU-OSHA, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in children and young people and young workers are worryingly high. Involving schools in occupational safety and health issues can help prevent this. Integrating safety and health in education is essential in developing a culture of prevention for students.

A new report offers approaches to ‘health-promoting schools’ and examples of good practices in Europe to get people moving and prevent MSDs. The report presents success factors and obstacles and examines how schools can contribute to long-term prevention early on.

Read the report Better Schools by Promoting Musculoskeletal Health

Learn more: 

DECREASING MUSCULO-SKELETAL DISORDERS OF SEATED WORKERS

Gyula Szabo Leave a comment

Nicolas Draye, Haute Ecole Louvain en Hainaut
drayen@helha.be

DECREASING-MUSCULOSKELETAL-DISORDERS-OF-SEATED-WORKERSDownload

About ERGONOMICS PRACTICE EXAMPLES

The field of practice of professional ergonomists is very wide and covers all aspects concerning the health, well-being and productivity of people at work. Some ergonomic interventions concentrate on designing workplaces so that the work can be done comfortably and safely over a long period. Others look at the safety and ease of use of tools and computer interfaces. Others look at the organization of work systems to optimize workflow and avoid errors.

These papers do not cover all the areas of ergonomics practice, but they may be helpful for people looking for examples of how a professional ergonomist provides solutions for companies wanting to improve the efficiency of their workers without decreasing their safety, health, or well-being.

CONTRIBUTORS

The examples published here were contributed by European Ergonomists and reviewed by representatives from the Centre for Registration of European Ergonomics (CREE) and by the Federation of European Ergonomics Societies (FEES).

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If you are a certified ergonomist and wish to contribute, please get in touch with a member of the executive board of CREE or FEES. Contributions are welcome, and no fee is charged.

More ERGONOMICS PRACTICE EXAMPLES