Quality of working life and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders initiative: continued partnership between the Institut Pasteur and the Massage and Physiotherapy Training Institute

In 2017, as part of efforts to improve the quality of working life, the Institut Pasteur Occupational Health Department launched an initiative for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), in cooperation with the Massage and Physiotherapy Training Institute in the Paris Public Hospital Network (IFMK-APHP).

The aim was to identify the risk factors of MSDs at specific workstations and to propose preventive action. The project was initially introduced in the Logistics Department, the platforms (mediums and equipment) and the animal facility, involving 45 staff who volunteered to have their work observed by 51 physiotherapy students.

This partnership between the Institut Pasteur and the IFMK resulted in proposals for improvements which were approved by the participating employees and sector heads. Practical workshops have been organized to teach employees simple exercises and easy movements that they can repeat at work to prevent the emergence of symptoms associated with MSDs.

Given the success of this initiative, it will be repeated in 2019 in the animal facility and three administrative departments (the Accounting/Management Department in the Financial Affairs Department, the Employee Management Department in the Human Resources Department, and the Information Systems Department).

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See the video on practical workshops