Federation of European Ergonomics Societies Ergonomics in and for Europe

As part of the 2016-2017 Healthy Workplaces for All Ages campaign of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) an Official campaign partner meeting was held, where results of the campaign partner category of Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards was presented.

To achive a sustainable working life and to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) arising from sedentary desk-based work. campaign partner SAP started a program and received the award for the initiative ‘Run Your Health’ that empowers employees of all ages to take action for their health. Thanks to the program the participants reported:

• a 100 % increase in regular exercise
• a 30 % increase in the number of steps recorded per month
• a 56 % reduction in sedentary time.

Link for details: GPA_2016-17_OCP_Winner_SAP.pdf

Campaign partner Toyota Material Handling was commended for a physiotherapy programme to prevent strain injuries at work and to deliver measurable change across partner companies. They took action to prevent strain injuries at work: following an in-depth analysis of accident data, as well as consultations with service technicians, poor manual handling practices were identified as the primary cause of injuries; therefore, the company developed a physiotherapy programme. Some results achieved

• In the last 2 years, accidents through overstrain have more than halved.
• The proportion of employees who took leave of absence as a result of an accident decreased from 20 % in 2006 to 5 % in 2014.
• Since undergoing treatment with the physiotherapist, none of the employees who experienced overstrain injuries has experienced a similar injury.

Link for details GPA_2016-17_OCP_Commended_Toyota_Material_Handling.pdf (378.14 KB)

On the photo Marianne Thyssen, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Karoly Gyorgy, chair of the EU-OSHA Governing Borad (left) and Gyula Szabo (right) with the certificate that recognises the Federation of the European Ergonomics Societies as an Official Camapign Partner.