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The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) is the EU body tasked with improving OSH across Europe. Operating as an independent agency under a tripartite governance model, EU-OSHA collect, analyse and disseminate relevant information that can serve the needs of businesses, governments and OSH specialists. Through its network of national focal points, the agency ensures close cooperation with Member States and key stakeholders, enabling the exchange of knowledge, the coordination of activities, and the promotion of a preventive culture across the EU.

A key aspect of EU-OSHA’s mission is to bridge the gap between scientific research and workplace practice. This is achieved through a project-based approach that integrates research, foresight, stakeholder engagement, practical and policy-relevant information. Known as “OSH overviews”. These multi-annual research initiatives follow a structured lifecycle: they begin with horizon scanning and exploratory research, proceed through in-depth analysis of specific issues, and culminate in the development of practical tools and guidance.

In 2017, EU-OSHA started a 4-year research activity on work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This comprehensive initiative aimed to deepen understanding of the prevalence, causes, and consequences of MSDs across Europe, and to identify effective prevention strategies. The findings of the OSH overview were translated into a wide range of practical outputs, including thematic reports, country-specific analyses, and a suite of practical resources such as info sheets or interactive e-tools to support workplace-level risk management. These resources address diverse topics – from telework and workforce diversity to chronic MSDs and youth – and are designed to support employers, workers and OSH professionals in implementing effective prevention measures.

The research activity leads into EU-OSHA’s 2020–22 Healthy Workplaces Campaign, which focused on MSDs and further amplified the impact of this work – raising awareness and promoting good practices across Europe. Although the OSH overview and campaign formally concluded, their findings continue to inform EU-OSHA’s current research activities, including those on healthcare and digitalisation.

This keynote will illustrate how EU-OSHA advances prevention through the full lifecycle of its activities – from research and data collection to the development of guidance and tools, and finally to awareness-raising activities. The presentation will highlight key findings from the MSD OSH overview, showcase practical resources, and reflect on the challenges and opportunities in promoting musculoskeletal health in Europe’s evolving world of work. It will stress the importance of fostering collaboration between science, policy and practice, and to ensure that knowledge is not only generated but also applied to create safer, healthier, and more inclusive working environments.