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Fit for Work Conference30 September 2010
Brenda O BrienManager, Brussels Liaison Office
Keeping people at work
the EU perspective
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European Agency for Safety and Health at WorkWho we are
Our Aimo help improve working conditions in the European
Union by providing technical, scientific and economicinformation to people involved in safety and health atwork
Our Structureo T ripartite (employers,
trade unions, governments
commission)
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CC Focal PointsEU Focal Points
EEA/EFTAFocal Points
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M SDs Facts
The most common work-related healthproblem in Europe*
Enormous costs
o In France in 2006 M SDs have lead to** sevenmillion workdays lost, about 71 0 million EUR of
enterprises contributions
* Eurofound European Working and Living Conditions Survey 200 7
**OSH in Figures ( 20 10 )
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ommun ty trategyon OSH 200 7 - 20 12
Worker Rehabilitation priorityo M S encouraged to incorporate into national strategies
specific measures to improve the rehabilitation and
reintegration of workers
M SDs are included in the research priorities in theCommunity Strategy
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ac o wor repor : ar yIntervention: Good practice example:Germany
Employers as early warning systems
Early recognition and avoidance of long-term incapacity atwork
Meetings between employer and member of staff if workerunfit for more than 6 weeks/year
Constructive and integrative solutions to be reached withthe insurers at a subsequent stage
Use of disability managers to support employers in theirnew role and guide all parties in the process of vocationalrehabilitation
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Example: Stephen Fisher (RS I Action)
P rincipal Engineer with major aerospace company, 32 yearsservice
Intense P C work, long hours
No risk assessment, no training, early symptoms missedThen a bolt of lightning hit the back of a hand
Medical retirement at 52, still not completely recovered
Early identification is key
Effective treatment includes physiotherapy, appropriate exercisesand workplace adjustment through ergonomic measures
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Early intervention Conclusions B ack toWork report
due to high costs rehabilitation systems are beingmodified in many countries (e.g. the Netherlands)
An increased emphasis is placed on earlyrecognition of problems
avoidance of long-term incapacity for work,including returning people with M SDs to work asquickly as possible
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Factors that tend to preventeffective reintegration of workers
Policieso Separation between the world of work and the world of
social insurance (A T , B E, FR)
Lack of incentiveso employees are reluctant to work in case it reduces their
personal injuries compensation ( IE)
Service providerso Lack of co-ordination between involved parties (e.g
Finland),
o Waiting lists or administrative burden (A T , UK)
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Factors that tend to facilitate effectivereintegration of workers
Policieso Rehabilitation, rather than pension
o T ransfer of responsibilities to employers
Incentiveso Financial incentive for employer+employee
Service providers
o M ultidisciplinary approacho Cooperation of all parties
Workplaceo Early recognition + adapting working conditions
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Types of work-related interventions
Organisational andadministrativeinterventions
Technical, engineering orergonomic interventions
Personal interventions(imposed on a group of workers)
Behavioural modification
Modified work(incl. working hours)
Redesign of physicalenvironmentRedesign of working aidsand tools
Protective Equipment
Working practices, habits
Health promotion
Type of Intervention Prevention M ethods
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-interventions for different M SDs
B ack pain:o stay active and return to work as early as possible
o M ultidisciplinary approach
Upper Limb paino Little data, but multidisciplinary+cognitive behavioural
approach most promising
Lower Limb paino Indication that excercise programmes effective for hip
and knee problems
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Thank you for your attentionMore information
http://osha.europa.eu