Community news, Covid-19 News|28/07/21

Preventing risks related to static postures at work

Home > The news of EUROGIP and occupational risks in Europe > Preventing risks related to static postures at work

According to the 2019 ESENER survey, the 2nd most frequently reported risk factor in the EU-27 is prolonged sitting. Furthermore, Eurostat data from 2017 showed that one in five workers in the EU (i.e. 20%) spent most of their working time standing. Our bodies need to move.

At work too, it is important to avoid static postures, whether sitting – to prevent problems such as low back pain, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, obesity, breast and colon cancer… – or standing.

As part of its 2020-2022 campaign on the prevention of work-related MSDs, EU-OSHA has published two new reports which examine:

  • which workers are most exposed to static positions
  • what actions should be taken in relation to sitting and standing,
  • how employers can prevent risks and help employees to increase their physical activity.

MSD and prolonged static sitting at work

MSD and prolonged static standing at work

Discover other news

Abroad

22/09/23

BELGIUM: what to expect from occupational illnesses in 2022

In 2022, around 38,500 people received compensation for permanent disability due to an occupational disease. And nearly 13,000 workers (private sector and provincial or local administrations, APL) filed a claim for compensation; 211 deaths were recognised, 73% of which were due to asbestos, 17% to silicosis and 10% to other diseases. These are the findings of the Fedris “Statistical Report on Occupational Diseases” 2022.

Abroad

22/09/23

FINLAND: the number of accidents at work rose in 2021

In 2021, more than 91,159 accidents at work occurred in Finland, around 4,500 more than in 2020. As in the previous year, construction workers (10,787), care and health service workers (9,367) and machine shop and foundry workers (7,162) were most affected.