1. | Women’s work environment, health and ergonomics 2012 - 2014 Minke Wersäll Swedish Work Environment Authority Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels2015-03-041

2. | Experience The assignment State of knowledge reports Development of methods Gender perspective on systematic work environment management 2015-03-04Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels2

3. | The assignment from the Swedish Government Preventing the exclusion of women from working life due to factors in the work environment State of knowledge Information Development of methods Training of inspectors Performance of inspections Cooperation with other actors Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels2015-03-043

4. | Background Women have a higher registered absence due to illness than men. Women report more injuries than men. Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common cause of reported occupational diseases. More women than men leave the workforce prematurely. 2015-02-18Mirja Johansson - Urlika Söderman-Wramsby - Minke Wersäll4

5. | State of knowledge reports “Ergonomic studies from a production and system perspective”, Professor Jörgen Eklund, Dept of Ergonomics, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm Physical work, gender and health in working life, PhD Charlotte Lewis and Professor Svend Erik Mathiassen, Center for Musculoskeletal Research at the University in Gävle “Under the magnifying glass”. Work environment and organisation from a gender theoretical perspective, PhD Annika Vänje, Dept of Ergonomics, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm 2015-03-04Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels5

6. | Ergonomics for health as well as for performance A strong correlation between ergonomics and quality Multifactorial ergonomic interventions are more effective in comparison with more limited interventions In gender-segregated workplaces, ergonomic improvements tend to fail due to "order is restored" if no work is taking place with the attitudes at organisational level (Lena Abrahamsson) 2015-03-04Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels6

7. | State of knowledge reports Ergonomic interventions and measures in a systems perspective, Professor Jörgen Eklund, Dept of Ergonomics, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm ”Physical work, gender and health in working life”, PhD Charlotte Lewis and Professor Svend Erik Matthiassen, Center for Musculoskeletal Research at the University in Gävle “Under the magnifying glass”. Work environment and organisation from a gender theoretical perspective, PhD Annika Vänje, Dept of Ergonomics, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm 2015-03-04Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels7

8. | Factors (exemples) Society Organisation Individual Segregated labor market Different jobs Gender roles, traditions in occupations jobstasksloadseffects Same physiological effect, different effects Workplace design, muscle strength jobstasks Same task, different loads Employer attitudes inherent gender roles jobs Same job, different tasks Attitudes in health and among authorities jobstasksloadseffectsBeha- viours Same behaviour, different treatments Hormone profile, muscle endurance jobs loads Same loads, different physiological effects tasks 2015-03-04Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels8

9. | Men and women have different tasks in the same occupations. This is an essential explanation for differences in work related musculoskeletal disorders between men and women. Men and women have different workloads on the same task. This is an important explanation for differences in work related musculoskeletal disorders between men and women. Men and women have different physiological responses despite the same work load. But this can not in any particular extent explain differences in prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders between men and women. Work organization; Allocation of work Working tools; Individual Individual; Biology Summary of research 2015-03-04Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels9

10. | State of knowledge reports Physical work, gender and health in working life, PhD Charlotte Lewis and Professor Svend Erik Matthiassen, Center for Musculoskeletal Research at the University in Gävle Ergonomic interventions and measures in a systems perspective, Professor Jörgen Eklund, Dept of Ergonomics, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm “Under the magnifying glass”. Work environment and organisation from a gender theoretical perspective, PhD Annika Vänje, Dept of Ergonomics, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm 2015-03-04Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels10

11. | “Under the magnifying glass" Traditional beliefs and expectations about how women and men should be inhibit continuous improvements and innovations in the work environment. The employer needs to have special knowledge about the role gender has in organisations in order to pursue an active work environment. Management support is crucial, since the improvement process may require investment and influence the prevailing structures. 2015-03-04Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels11

12. | Prevention - development of methods Identifying risks of WRMSD according to the provisions on ergonomics (AFS 2012:02) Introduction of new methods - duration - frequency - intensity 2015-03-04Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels12

13. | Gender reflections Women work more with repetitive work and with emotionally demanding work than men Myths like: …”nimble fingers” for females and ”clumsy fingers” in men…have to be identified and counteracted How are knowledge requirements handled in male and female dominated businesses respectively? 2015-03-04Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels13

14. | Good practice Karlskoga hospital, prized for ”Swedish quality 2012” and ”Swedish Team Excellence Award 2014” Teaching patient transfers with a minimum of effort saves both backs and money Through structured work with a committed leadership they have succeeded in preventing pressure sores among patients as well as creating a safe working environment for staff. 2015-03-04Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels14

15. | ….and lessons learned A gender dialogue based on three questions to be asked at each visit: How many of the employees are women and men? Do women and men perform the same tasks - do they have the possibility to influence the work environment to the same extent? Ask for gender disaggregated statistics on absence due to illness 2015-03-04Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels15

16. | Crucial factors explaining differences Gender patterns in society also at work: women's work is valued less - occupational risks are not made visible enough and therefore not addressed sufficiently. The gender-segregated labor market contributes significantly to the fact that women are at greater risk of strain injuries Women and men in the same profession often work with different tasks and load thus differently. Women work more closely with unilateral and repetitive tasks or patient transfers. Women work more closely with meetings and contacts with people which often involves a psychosocial stress When women and men work on the same things in the same work place, the strain is still different because the tools, protective equipment and workstations are often not suitable for women. Many employers and workers lack sufficient knowledge to prevent musculoskeletal injuries in their operations 2015-03-04Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels16

17. | Challenges… Management commitment Increased skills in assessing the risk of WRMSDs provide safer workplaces for women and men System perspective on ergonomics Improvement of methods needed A gender-sensitive approach a necessity in order to create a better understanding of women's health and safety 2015-03-04Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels17

18. | Sustainable work environment by gender equality and a balanced work load! Minke.wersall@av.se Women's health and work, 4-6 march 2015 - Brussels2015-03-0418