Prevention policy and practice: approaches to tackling work-related musculoskeletal disorders

The project entitled ‘Review of research, policy and practice on prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders’ aimed to gain a more complete understanding of the occupational safety and health (OSH) challenges in tackling work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The intention of the project was to provide a better understanding of the conditions under which strategies, policies and actions to address MSDs are most effective. To achieve this goal, a range of policy-level strategies and initiatives that were used by major stakeholders, including regulators and regulatory agencies, social partners, professional bodies and preventive services were identified. Following their identification, an analysis was undertaken to determine how these various strategies were adapted to the conditions and needs of different beneficiaries (e.g. in different sectors).To complement this analysis, the resources that were developed and used in the initiatives described were reviewed, with a view to identifying the factors that contributed to their success or failure (including any barriers to their implementation).