ABSTRACT
Work-related activities should not only be performed in a safe manner but should also follow the rules of ergonomics, which help to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
MSDs are one of the most serious health threats associated with occupational work. In Poland in 2003, 14.4% of total inability to work was caused by MSDs, making them the third most frequent reason for absence from work, after diseases of the circulatory system (21%) and mental disorders (16%). Many studies indicate that biomechanical and psychosocial factors of the work environment, as well as individual factors, cause these disorders. In the European Union (EU), MSDs are among the most frequent health problems and are an important reason for work absences (Parent-Thirion et al. 2007).
