AUVAfit

“Work should not make us sick – work can make us fit”, to bring this slogan to life, it is important to consider some principles and to constantly optimize work and workplaces. Presently, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) cause nearly a quarter of the overall days of sick leave in Austria. According to EU-OSHA (European Agency for Safety and Health), MSDs are one of the most common work-related diseases. Throughout Europe, they affect millions of workers and cost employers billions of euros. Tackling MSDs helps to improve the health related quality of workers life, reduces cost for the employers thus making sense also in an economic way. To minimize work-related risk factors the Austrian Workers’ Compensation Board (AUVA) designed a program called “AUVAfit”. The aim of this program is to improve the workplace environment by reducing physical and mental risk factors. AUVAfit is available for the modules “Ergonomics” and/or “Occupational Psychology”. The AUVAfit ergonomics team – in cooperation with the company – works out measurements to improve the work places according to ergonomic guidelines.