The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) published its multiannual project findings on the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Through literature review and a national policy initiatives analysis, the report identifies, among other barriers to address work-related MSD, a focus on risk assessment in detriment to a preventive approach.

This case analysis is part of a larger project on working with chronic musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that includes a review with guidance and examples and articles. It presents a case analysis of people who either returned to work or stayed at work with a chronic MSD.

The report mentions that “MSDs are the most widespread global health issue affecting the workforce and, in the context of this report, are defined as ‘those MSDs that last for 12 weeks or more, including chronic back pain or chronic upper limb disorders, as well as rheumatic diseases, degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis or osteoporosis and non-specific pain syndromes categorised as chronic”

You can read the summary of the report here and the complete report here