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Network Journal 2007 Issue 4 July/Aug |
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European safety week lightens the load
The theme for this year’s European Week for Safety and Health at Work is Lighten the Load and is dedicated to the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
The campaign, promoted by the European Union and, in the UK, by the HSE, aims to support all stakeholders including employers, workers and safety representatives in MSD prevention.
There is a host of information on the HSE's website about European Week including links to the European Safety and Health Agency in Bilbao: www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/euroweek
MSDs are the most common ill-health disorders at work, both in the UK and across Europe. In Britain over one million people are affected by MSDs every year. Problems include back pain, work-related neck and upper limb disorders, including repetitive strain injuries and lower limb disorders. Awareness, prevention and management of the issues are all key factors in reducing MSDs.
As part of European Week initiative, the HSE is working with the TUC to provide safety reps with several regional training events and it will also be posting two MSD checklists for use by trade union safety reps on its website. Further details of the training events will be given in the next issue of Network.
National Inspection Day
The TUC has nominated Wednesday 24 October as National Inspection Day. It wants as many safety reps as possible to carry out workplace inspections on that day.
You can use the HSE checklists when doing your inspections, so please mark it in your diary.
HSE - Health and Safety Executive appointed by the HSC to run the enforcement system.
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