Social Employers and EPSU, partners in EU-OSHA campaign “Healthy Workplaces – Lighten the load”

Social services workers are at very high risk of suffering from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). If not prevented, MSDs lead to a situation where workers are no longer able to carry out certain tasks or have to stop working in the sector altogether. It is crucial that employers’ representatives and trade unions work together so that workplace risks potentially leading to MSDs are effectively assessed and tackled.

This is why the Federation of European Social Employers and the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) are joining the EU-OSHA 'Healthy Workplaces - Lighten the Load' campaign as official partners.

The campaign will run over the course of 2021 and 2022. It seeks to create safer and healthier workplaces, by increasing awareness of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and promoting working together to ensure that effective preventive measures are taken to tackle MSDs. As social partners, we look forward to making the technical expertise of EU-OSHA available to our members and to share and develop good practices in conferences & workshops.

Sylvain Renouvel, Director of the Social Employers, said “Assessing and controlling work-related MSDs is crucial for employers, to ensure safe and healthy working conditions. The Social Employers are very pleased to be part of this important campaign. Together with our social partners from EPSU, and in cooperation with EU OSHA, we are ready to assess the impact and consequences of MSDs and launch joint initiatives for MSD prevention in social services.”

Jan-Willem Goudriaan, General Secretary of EPSU, highlighted that “MSDs represent the most widespread and persistent health risk for workers in social services. Tackling them is a priority for trade unions. Together with our social partners and the EU OSHA, EPSU is looking forward to share and develop innovative practices and push the EU to adopt better protection of workers.”

Throughout the campaign, the Social Employers and EPSU aim to:

• discuss the impact of MSD on the social services workforce and how to prevent MSD in the sector, including via the involvement of social partners.
• exchange good initiatives and tools for MSD prevention.
• present joint recommendations as social partners.

Access the media release here.

For more information, please contact:

Alina Pavicevac
alina.pavicevac(at)socialemployers.eu