Campaign against pain
31 October 2000 - 31 October 2000
The European agency for safety and health at work is coordinating a series of events during October throughout the fifteen EU Member States aimed at cutting the enormous human and economic costs of work-related musculoskeletal injuries.
Musculoskeletal disorders, such as back pain and repetitive strain injury, affect millions of European workers in all industrial sectors costing billions of euro in lost productivity, treatment and social costs. Moreover, there is good evidence that the problem is increasing in scale - 30% of European workers in a recent survey complained of back pain, 17% had muscle pains in their arms or legs and 45% reported problems resulting from their posture at work
The agency believes that many of these injuries are preventable and is organising a week of events in each European Union country to raise awareness of the problem and highlight ways of reducing the incidence. The events will include exhibitions and training sessions on workplace safety, and help to identify potential risks.
The initiative is aimed at all those likely to be affected by occupational health problems including trade unions, employers organisations, company safety officers, managers and health and safety institutions. The agency emphasises that improved safety is not only good for the individuals concerned, it is also good business, reducing costs to companies from work-related illness and early retirement.
Launching the initiative, Mrs Anna Diamantopoulou, European Commissioner for Employment and social affairs, said, 'The aches, pains and injuries caused by poor workplace practices are a heavy burden borne by far too many European workers, with women being most at risk. Lightening that load is the key aim of this year's European Week for safety and health at work. We want Europe to turn its back on work-related musculoskeletal disorders.'
Musculoskeletal disorders, such as back pain and repetitive strain injury, affect millions of European workers in all industrial sectors costing billions of euro in lost productivity, treatment and social costs. Moreover, there is good evidence that the problem is increasing in scale - 30% of European workers in a recent survey complained of back pain, 17% had muscle pains in their arms or legs and 45% reported problems resulting from their posture at work
The agency believes that many of these injuries are preventable and is organising a week of events in each European Union country to raise awareness of the problem and highlight ways of reducing the incidence. The events will include exhibitions and training sessions on workplace safety, and help to identify potential risks.
The initiative is aimed at all those likely to be affected by occupational health problems including trade unions, employers organisations, company safety officers, managers and health and safety institutions. The agency emphasises that improved safety is not only good for the individuals concerned, it is also good business, reducing costs to companies from work-related illness and early retirement.
Launching the initiative, Mrs Anna Diamantopoulou, European Commissioner for Employment and social affairs, said, 'The aches, pains and injuries caused by poor workplace practices are a heavy burden borne by far too many European workers, with women being most at risk. Lightening that load is the key aim of this year's European Week for safety and health at work. We want Europe to turn its back on work-related musculoskeletal disorders.'