FfW Bulgarian report (English language) - Fit for Work Europe

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Interventions 56 low uptake of flexible working such small changes to working conditions could make a large difference to those with MSDs, who may experience fluctuations of performance throughout the day. Adopting a culture where the right to request flexible working becomes the norm would make it easier for employers to offer this as a reasonable adjustment for those who need it. In Bulgaria trade unions and occupational health services, where they exist in organisations, may be involved in developing return to work policies, alongside awareness raising through training and information about causes of MSDs and ways of reducing risks (Gladicheva and Chengelova, 2007). It is suggested that many employers are only paying lip service to occupational health advice, 49 although the Health and Safety Law (2003) 50 requires employers to provide occupational health services for their employees or contract to a registered occupational health service. It is important that appropriate legislation is in place to ensure compliance with the occupational health norms It is not just employers that need to know more about MSDs and their treatment. One of the most persistent (and pernicious) myths about back pain, for example, is that bed rest is the best solution; however, with education such myths can be challenged. Changing attitudes and raising awareness about the management of MSDs is an important part of reducing their burden to employers and society. Where they are able to, patient groups educate GPs and the public about MSDs. 51 Campaigns initiated by central government can also have an impact on public and employer perceptions of MSDs. For example, Bulgaria took part in the ‘Lighten the Load’ campaign in 2007 which aimed to support key stakeholders within organisations to improve MSD prevention within workplaces. 52 The case study below highlights a best practice example of health and safety measures taken within one large organisation that participated in the campaign (see Box 2). In addition, as a member of the European Network for Workplace Health Promotion (ENWHP), the Bulgarian Forum ‘Healthy and Safe Workplaces’ also supports the development, distribution and implementation of models of good practice in occupational health and safety through conferences, marketing and education and promoting campaigns. It is clear that efforts are being made to understand and share best practice for promoting occupational health and safety in Bulgaria. Further information on the impact of these initiatives through measuring outcomes would help demonstrate the value of participating in such campaigns. 49 Expert interviews 50 http://osha.europa.eu/fop/bulgaria/en/legislation/law/zbut.stm 51 Expert interview 52 See http://osha.europa.eu/en/campaigns/ew2007/front-page Fit For Work?
Box 2. Case Study – EPIQ Electronic Assembly Ltd Interventions EPIQ is an electronics company with a presence in six European countries as well as Mexico. It has production facilities in Bulgaria and manufactures electronic components for the car industry as well as for telecommunications, household, sanitary and medical equipment companies. The nature of the work is such that if gone unchecked, workers would be exposed to various processes and factors in the work environment that could damage their health and put them at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. For example, the production of components involves prolonged sitting or standing which can cause strain on the arms and legs. It may also involve movements that are repetitive. The work is also quite physically active, requiring co-ordination, accuracy and speed. In order to reduce the risks to which workers are exposed, the company have taken the following measures to create an environment that manages the health and safety of their workers: 1) Health and safety training All workers receive health and safety training when they begin at the company. They are taught how to use the equipment safely and learn techniques to ensure it is used correctly. They also learn about potential hazards in the work environment and are taught how to prevent dangers and the importance of this. Workers are educated about the impact of workplace factors on their health and are taught how to use tools and equipment to mitigate these factors, for example, by organising their work stations. 2) Provide ergonomically designed work stations The work environment has been designed to prevent workers from working in damaging positions, or making any unnecessary movements, for example, by avoiding the need for them to twist or contort their backs. This has been done by providing workers with adjustable chairs and tables, encouraging good posture. 3) Job design Jobs have been designed so that work has been reallocated and redistributed amongst workers in order to rotate tasks. This has decreased repetitive movements, strain on the hands and prolonged bending and twisting of the body. Rest periods have been installed which have reduced fatigue and improved sustained performance. 4) Risk assessments Regular risk assessments are carried out of jobs and people at risk, with hazards being reduced or removed to control risk. Cont. Fit For Work? 57
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Fit For Work? Rosemary Thomas Kseni
Page 3 and 4:
Contents 1. Executive summary 5 2.
Page 5 and 6: 1. Executive summary The ‘Fit for
Page 7 and 8: What can be done? Executive summary
Page 9 and 10: Executive summary We have found imp
Page 11 and 12: Increasing work intensity is a very
Page 13 and 14: 2.2 MSDs: The European context Intr
Page 15 and 16: 2.4 A note on definition Introducti
Page 17 and 18: 2.5 Structure of the report Introdu
Page 19 and 20: Figure 3.1. Number of MSDs inpatien
Page 21 and 22: • Stamina and resilience; • Cog
Page 23 and 24: Work and MSDs in Bulgaria It is imp
Page 25 and 26: of RA and specific leukocyte antige
Page 27 and 28: injuries or back pain 15 ; Sieper,
Page 29 and 30: 2001). The study also found that fo
Page 31 and 32: • Local or whole-body exposure to
Page 33 and 34: workers of developing rheumatoid ar
Page 35 and 36: 3.4 The wider economic and social i
Page 37 and 38: Work and MSDs in Bulgaria Direct co
Page 39 and 40: presented in the Table 3.3 below. T
Page 41 and 42: 3.5 Summary Work and MSDs in Bulgar
Page 43 and 44: Job retention and return to work pr
Page 45 and 46: 4.2 The social security regime for
Page 47 and 48: Further indirect costs of disabilit
Page 49 and 50: 4.3 Conditionspecific interventions
Page 51 and 52: RA in Bulgaria who receive biologic
Page 53 and 54: Interventions Since it was first pr
Page 55: apart from norms of shift work. 43
Page 59 and 60: the beliefs that both parties have
Page 61 and 62: 4.6 Summary 4.5.4 Improved employer
Page 63 and 64: 5.1 Recommendations for employers 5
Page 65 and 66: 5.3 Recommendations for GPs and spe
Page 67 and 68: Conclusions and recommendations •
Page 69 and 70: Breen, A., Langworthy, J. and Bagus
Page 71 and 72: der Tempel, H. and van der Linden,
Page 73 and 74: Guzman, J., Esmail, R., Karjalainen
Page 75 and 76: References Nachemson, A., Waddell,
Page 77 and 78: Waddell, G. and Burton, A. K., (200
Page 79 and 80: Appendix 2: Sample ‘Fit’ Note S
Page 81 and 82: Sources: Eurostat Statistical Datab
Page 83 and 84: Sources: Parent-Thirion, Fernández
Page 85 and 86: Hourly labour costs 2007 Average ho
Page 87 and 88: % sickness absence due to health re
Page 89 and 90: Appendix 3: Benchmarking grid Refer
Page 91 and 92: The aim of the project is to stimul
Page 93 and 94: Appendix 4: Fit for Work Europe Wha
Page 96: We provide: Research Advisory Consu
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FfW Bulgarian report (English language) - Fit for Work Europe

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