Brussels, 11/02/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work in launching a major information campaign aimed at cutting the number of work-related back injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders notably Lumbago's. The main message of this campaign, which will take place in all the EU Member States, is that of prevention; it will be brought to companies of all sizes and sectors through information documents and a Web site (http: //osha.eu.int/ew2000/), and at the national level with numerous activities that will be organised on the initiative of the Member States next October. Many of these problems could be prevented if the legislative provisions where observed and the practical advice for its implementation followed.
The campaign's detailed plan that will take place in October 2000 will the organisation of a European week for health and safety at work in each of the EU's 15 Member States, was announced this Wednesdays in Lisbon by Anna Diamantopoulou, European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs and Hans Konkolewsky Director of the European Agency.
The consequences of the ailments targeted are very heavy both in terms of economic cost (loss of production) as on that of health care. The number of workers who are affected never ceases to grow. According to a recent European study, 30% of workers suffer from backpain, 17% complain of muscular pain in arms and legs, while 45% reported working in painful or tiring positions.