Risks same for 20 years

European workers remain as exposed to physical hazards as they were 20 years ago, according to the 5th European Working Conditions Survey. The survey, carried out by Eurofound, also shows that men and women continue to be exposed differently.

It shows that, for example, 33% of men, but only 10% of women, are regularly exposed to vibration, while 42% of men, but 24% of women, carry heavy loads. In contrast, 13% of women, but only 5% of men, lift or move people as part of their work.

But similar proportions of men and women work in tiring positions (48% and 45% respectively), or make repetitive hand and arm movements (64% and 63% respectively), which are also the most common physical hazards.

The survey also shows that physical hazards are not confined to manual workers. Almost one in six (16%) workers are exposed to tiring positions (almost) all of the time, and one in three (30%) between a quarter and three quarters of the time. In addition, repetitive hand or arm movements are a feature of work for more Europeans than they were 10 years ago.