Lighten the Load in Bradford

1
Lighten the Load in Bradford

• Setting the Scene
• Jenny Lawson
• West Yorkshire Euro Info Centre
• Thursday 18th October 2007

2
Overview

• introduction to the EIC
• why European HS Week?
• lighten the load manual handling
  musculoskeletal disorders
• EU law, guidance good practice

3
Introduction to the Euro Info Centre

• based here in Bradford
• part of a Network of nearly 300 EICs
• provides information advice on European
  legislation policies affecting local businesses
  (including HS)
• helps firms do business in rest of EU

4
Why a European Week for Safety Health at Work?

• annual initiative to highlight particular areas
  of HS concern
• year-long campaign culminating in the European
  Week
• aims to raise awareness, spread good practice and
  improve occupational HS
• previous years young workers, noise,
  construction, stress

5
European Week for Safety Health at Work 2007

• theme Lighten the Load
• aim to raise awareness of and help prevent
  problem of musculoskeletal disorders
• HSE leading in the UK
• involves employers, workers, safety
  representatives others

6
What are Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)?

• Examples include
• back pain
• joint muscle pain / injuries
• repetitive strain injuries

7
MSDs at Work

• Can arise in the workplace from
• manual lifting of heavy loads (e.g. on
  construction site, in a brewery or a care home)
• pushing and pulling (e.g. in a factory, farm or
  hospital)
• repetitive movements (e.g. on a production line
  or at a office workstation)

8
MSDs at Work cont.

• Other risk factors
• cold or excessive heat
• pace of work
• noise levels
• stress
• individual factors e.g. weight, age etc

9
MSDs at Work cont.

• most common work-related health problem in Europe
  (and UK)
• across the EU, 24 suffer from backache 22 have
  muscular pains
• in new MS even worse nearly 40
• 1m people a year affected in UK

10
EU legislation, guidance good practice

• general Directives on HS at work and the
  workplace
• specific Directives on manual handling, display
  screens, vibration etc
• implemented via UK Regulations

11
EU legislation, guidance good practice cont

• fact sheets on MSDs (4)
• guidance / good practice on prevention,
  rehabilitation etc
• case studies (to come)
• DVD (in your packs)

12
Further information

• OSHA website http//osha.europa.eu/topics/msds
• European Week website
• http//ew2007.osha.europa.eu/
• HSE website http//www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/eurow
  eek/
• Euro Info Centre
• www.bradford.gov.uk/euroinfocentre