Keynotes
Plenary Speakers
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Evolving perspectives of prevention of work related musculoskeletal pain over the last three decadesOver the past three decades, our approach to preventing work-related muscle and joint pain has undergone a significant transformation. This keynote will trace the journey from a focus on evidence-based exposure guidelines, to enhancing work ability through targeted physical training and ergonomics, and ultimately to integrating prevention strategies into everyday working life. Emphasis will be placed on motivating employees, overcoming implementation barriers, and demonstrating the benefits not just for the individual worker, but also for companies and society as a whole. Curriculum Vitae Research Interests
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Contemporary work and WRMSD Prevention: ChallengesTeleworking, home working, remote work, online collaborative work, among others ways of work outside office borders, gives news challenges regarding to WRMSD prevention. The rapid proliferation of teleworking has reshaped contemporary work practices, offering increased workers satisfaction and flexibility, but also introducing complex challenges for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSD) prevention. While ergonomic issues such as physical workstation setup remain prominent, emerging evidence highlights the significant role of psychosocial risk factors in exacerbating WRMSD and also mental disorders risks. Barriers to effective prevention, such as limited access to ergonomic assessments, lack of companies’ support, lack of knowledge about the real work activity, high organizational demands, together with insufficient awareness of psychosocial risks, besides others, increases the challenge to prevent WRMSD. Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) practitioners are unfamiliar with home workplaces and real risk factors exposure at home. New trends for OSH needed to recognize and mitigate these multifaceted challenges, in order to promote sustainable and health-conscious telework practices, starting with adapting working conditions at home, and adapting physical and mental demands to workers characteristics. Curriculum Vitae Maria do Carmo Baracho Alencar is an associate professor at the Federal University of Sao Paulo- UNIFESP, Brazil, in the Institute Health and Society. She has a PhD in Ergonomics from Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Graduated in Psychology, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. Pos Doctorate going on in NOVA University, Lisbon, Portugal. She has been working in the field of Occupational Health since 2001 in many researches related to WRMSD. Research Interests
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Maria do Carmo Baracho Alencar, Brazil
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Creating sustainable working conditions: Challenges and strategies for MSD prevention in a rapidly changing worldIn today's dynamic work landscape, the relationships between physical and psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal health are complex. This presentation will explore interactions between work and health, starting from the premise that good work has beneficial health outcomes and supports productivity. Drawing on contemporary and emerging research, the presentation will examine the requirements for healthy work environments and the role of musculoskeletal disorder prevention to support the creation of sustainable working conditions. Curriculum Vitae Jodi Oakman is the leader of the Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors at La Trobe University. With background in a diverse range of industry roles, she now leads research aimed at enhancing both physical and mental health in the workplace. Her innovative translational research includes the development of the APHIRM (A Participative Hazard Identification and Risk Managment) Toolkit, which aids organizations in mitigating stress-related mental health issues and musculosketal disorders using a participative approach. Currently, she leads research which are based in systems thinking and principles of implementation science to advance work-related health and well-being and support sustainable working lives. Research Interests
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Rethinking Work Participation in Musculoskeletal CareCare-as-usual often falls short in restoring work participation for individuals with musculoskeletal disorders. This keynote explores what we've learned from research and real-world applications to design more effective strategies for keeping these individuals with musculoskeletal disorders engaged in work. Curriculum Vitae Paul Kuijer works at the Department of Public and Occupational Health at the Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In his research, teaching, and patient care, he tries to enhance work-integrating care and prevention among workers with musculoskeletal disorders in physically demanding jobs. Research Interests
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Work-related musculoskeletal disorder prevention: From scientific evidence to practice
The keynote lecture will introduce the work of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) on work-related musculoskeletal disorders, with an emphasis on translating scientific evidence into actionable strategies in various occupational settings. The presentation will go through various EU-OSHA materials, including research reports, case studies, surveys, training resources, practical tools, and awareness-raising campaigns. Curriculum Vitae Pierre Berastegui is Research Project Manager in the Prevention and Research Unit of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). He holds a master’s degree in industrial psychology and a PhD in cognitive ergonomics, both from the University of Liège (Belgium). Research Interests
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Semi-Plenary Speakers
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Implementation Research and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: Challenges along the Process of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary PreventionThis presentation will describe some workplace research examining the implementation of workplace programs (interventions) that address MSD and other work-related injuries. It will highlight common implementation frameworks and their applicability to workplace health and safety. Key research challenges and practical implications will be discussed. Curriculum Vitae Dwayne Van Eerd is a scientist at the Institute for Work and Health, where he has been a researcher since 1997. He is also a guest senior researcher with the National Research Centre for the Working Environment in Denmark. He has an MSc and BSc in kinesiology from the University of Waterloo, an MSc in health research methodology from McMaster University, and a PhD in work and health from the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. Research Interests
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EXoskeletons in the workplace: Potential for reducing physical demands and preventing musculoskeletal disorders in workersWork-related musculoskeletal disorders pose a large (economic) burden on those affected, their employers and the health care systems. To reduce the physical demand of tasks for workers by combating specific biomechanical work characteristics such as heavy load handling, repetitive lifting, static postures and overhead work, exoskeletons can be used. Various (systematic) reviews, national guidelines as well as many laboratory and field studies have been conducted and published on the efficiency of occupational exoskeletons over the last two decades. This semi-plenary keynote will provide an overview on findings from experimental and review studies as well as implications for both practice and future research. Curriculum Vitae Tessy Luger is head of the "Work Physiology Laboratory" as part of the research unit "Work-related Exposures - Work Design" of the Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine and Health Services Research, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany. She received her PhD in Human Movement Sciences in 2016 from the VU University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Research Interests
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Acran Salmen-Navarro, United States |
Musculoskeletal disorders in the informal sector: The past, the present and the future
Curriculum Vitae Acran Salmen-Navarro is a Physician, trained in Occupational Medicine with a graduate degree in Ergonomics and Biomechanics and a Post- Doctoral fellowship in Population Health and Healthcare Delivery Science from New York University. Currently affiliated to the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Research Interests
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Ageing at work - What do we know about physical demanding jobs?It is paradoxical to consider physical exercise as medicine when talking about healthy ageing at work. This keynote will focus on manual workers and showcase the current knowledge on age-related decline in physical capacities. Actually, understanding the age-related changes in physical capacities in demanding jobs can help the design of future interventions for healthy sustainable employment. Curriculum Vitae Pascal Madeleine is a professor in Sports and Ergonomics at the Faculty of Medicine at Aalborg University, Denmark. He holds a PhD and DSc from Aalborg University. He is currently the head of the graduate school at the Faculty of Medicine. Research Interests
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Wearable Technologies for Exposure Detection, Assessment ANd PREventionThe keynote will discuss the use, effectiveness and challenges of wearable motion capture devices in the prevention work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) through hazard identification, exposure assessment, and work technique training. Curriculum Vitae Carl Lind is assistant Professor at the Unit of Occupational Medicine at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. He holds a PhD and MSc in Ergonomics from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden. He works as Ergonomics expert at the Swedish Work Environment Authority, and in National, European (CEN) and Global (ISO) Standardization Committees targeting Ergonomics, Biomechanics and Anthropometry. Research Interests
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Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Prevention and Complex InterventionsThe semi-plenary keynote focuses on effective workplace interventions to prevent and manage musculoskeletal disorders among employees with physically demanding jobs. Drawing on interventions from our research group, it gives examples of different approaches such as physical exercise programs, participatory ergonomics, and multifaceted strategies. Finally, it looks to the future potentials of new technologies and work organization in promoting musculoskeletal health. Curriculum Vitae Emil Sundstrup is a senior researcher in the Musculoskeletal Health unit at the National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA) in Copenhagen. He received his PhD in Health Sciences in 2016 from the University of Southern Denmark. Since then, the core focus of his research has been how to promote long, healthy, and sustainable working lives for all. Research Interests
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Current approaches in diagnosis and management of occupational diseases of the musculoskeletal systemThe keynote will discuss how and why the complexity and the multifactorial nature of pain experience, as well as chronological and biological ageing, have an impact on musculoskeletal pain and injuries in the occupational setting. According to biomedical paradigm and the biopsychosocial model, current concepts for prevention and musculoskeletal pain management will be presented. Curriculum VitaeRoberta Bonfiglioli is Associate Professor of Occupational Medicine at the University of Bologna and Staff physician at the Unit of Occupational Medicine, Sant'Orsola Malipghi University Hospital in Bologna. She has been Chair of the "Scientic Committee on Musculoskeletal Disorders" of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) for the triennium 2018-2021, Chair of the Emiliano-Romagnola branch of the Italian Society of Occupational Medicine 2019-2024 an currently degree programm Director -First Cycle Degree Program in Environment and Workplace Preventation Techniques at the University of Bologna. Research Interests
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Consideration of demographic factors in the risk assessment of physical work tasks – discussion of different perspectivesConsidering demographic factors in risk assessments can be controversial. Incorporating factors such as age and gender can help ensure the best possible protection of individual safety and health. These measures are intended to promote equal opportunities and ensure that no one is disadvantaged by certain working conditions. On the other hand, assigning different risks to different employees in the same workplace could be considered discriminatory. This presentation aims to raise awareness of this topic and present and discuss international perspectives. Curriculum VitaeAndre Klußmann is an experienced expert in the field of occupational safety and health. He has extensive knowledge in risk assessments and ergonomic workplace design. He is committed to creating safe and healthy work environments. Additionally, he was a co-developer of the Key Indicator Methods. Research Interests
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Individual prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disordersIndividual prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders includes preventive measures aimed at appropriately addressing an individual's health risks to the musculoskeletal system in the workplace. Individual preventive measures are particularly important for employees with a high work-related health risk — for example, due to high musculoskeletal workloads or existing complaints or illnesses — to enable them to continue performing their previous work activities without further deterioration of their health status. The presentation discusses the effectiveness of programs for individual prevention of musculoskeletal disorders and presents individual prevention programs implemented by the German statutory accident insurance institutions. Curriculum Vitae Rolf Ellegast completed his physics studies at the University of Bonn in 1998 with a doctorate and has been working at the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the Research Interests
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The importance of properly quantifying biomechanical exposures in workplacesI will discuss data collection of multiple biomechanical exposure parameters, data reduction approaches for complicated work day as well as their use in modeling. These aspects are important in setting proper limit values that can be used by ergonomics practitioners in their ergonomics intervention efforts. Curriculum Vitae Stephen Bao is the senior epidemiologist/ergonomist at the SHARP (Safty & Health Assessment & Research for Prevention) Programm at the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Olympia, Washington, USA. He leads a group of ergonomics research performing applied ergonomics research projects in field and laboratory. He received his PhD in industrial ergonomics in Lulea University of Technology and worked ion 1995 and a certified professional ergonomist (CPE). He has worked in the field of ergonomics research since 1985 in many dioverse workplaces. Research Interests
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Population diversity and mechanisms of MSD: what do we know, what don’t we know, and where do we go?The goal of this presentation will be to summarize the current understanding of the personal determinants of MSDs, with emphasis on recent studies on the impacts of worker age, sex/gender, and anthropometry on physical outcomes related to MSD risk. We will attempt to identify what is the current state of knowledge, what knowledge gaps remain, and what are the opportunities provided by recent technological advances in research and surveillance work that may help address the emerging needs in workplace injury prevention. Curriculum Vitae Julie Côté obtained her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Biomechanics from the University of Wisconsin (USA), and her Ph.D. and post-doctoral training in physiology, biomechanics and biomedical engineering from Université de Montreal (Canada). She has been a McGill professor since 2003 and has led numerous academic (Department Chair, Associate Dean) and Research (Quebec (FRQ) and Canada (CIHR) health research chairs, Sylvan-Adams Sports Science research institute of McGill University) over the course of her career. She has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, supervised over 100 research trainees, and continues to be actively engaged in partnership with various occupational and sports groups in Canada. Research Interests
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Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Ethical Considerations in the Era of Digital InterventionsDigital technologies present valuable opportunities for enhancing the prevention and management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Nonetheless, their adoption introduces critical ethical challenges, particularly concerning informed consent, data security, equitable access, and the preservation of human dignity. Ensuring ethical implementation necessitates a transparent, inclusive, and human-centered approach to the design and deployment of these interventions. Curriculum Vitae Fuat Ince is head of the Department of History and Medicine and Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel Universtiy, Isparta, Turkiye. He graduated from Gulhane Military Medical Academy Health NCO School and Turkish Army Language School. He received his PHD degress from Ankara University. He continues his postdoctoral studies in the field of medicine at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Research Interests
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Poor sleep versus exercise: A duel to decide whether pain resolves or persists after repetitive overuse injuryData will be presented showing that chronic poor sleep worsens pain behaviors induced by repetitive overuse, paralleled by elevated serum levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor, and that aerobic exercise ameliorates these changes. In cluster analyses, chronic sleep disturbance was associated with a high systemic inflammatory profile and significant declines in sensorimotor behaviors. In addition, data will be presented on whether serum biomarkers of inflammation, tissue repair or neuromodulation predicts or correlates with pain-related behaviors. Curriculum Vitae Mary Barbe is a Full Professor in the Aging and Cardiovascular Research Center at Lewis Katz School of Medicine of Temple University, in Philadelphia PA. She is a Fellow of the American Association of Anatomists (FAAA) and a Fellow of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Using a unique operant rat model of repetitive overuse injury of the upper extremity developed in her laboratory, she has examined the effects of repetitive and forceful work tasks on musculoskeletal and nervous system pathophysiology, focusing on injury, inflammation and fibrosis, and how these processes induce tissue degeneration and sensorimotor dysfunction. Research Interests
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Lost Working Years: A metric for assessing the burden of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in social insurance systemsMany nations have administrative social insurance systems that provide financial support to workers during periods of disability or reduced capacity. These administrative systems provide a means to directly assess the burden of lost working time attributable to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) and other conditions. In Australia, workers’ compensation systems operated by state, territory, and federal governments provide insurance coverage for 94% of the national labour force. In this keynote I will describe a study estimating, for the first time, the national burden of working time lost to WRMSD in Australia, and characterise the distribution of time lost by age, sex, occupation and industry. Curriculum Vitae Alex Collie is Professor and Head of the Healthy Working Lives Research Group and the Division of Health Systems, Services and Policy in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University, Melbourne Australia. He leads a multidisciplinary, mixed methods research program based in Australian and international personal injury schemes such as workers’ compensation, motor vehicle crash compensation and disability insurance. He is the course convenor for Australia’s only postgraduate degree in personal injury compensation. Alex is currently President of the Scientific Committee on Work Disability Prevention for the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH). Research Interests
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Andreas Seidler, Germany
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Are we on the way to evidence-based occupational diseases |
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Reducing health inequities in WRMSD – Insights from the work of the Marmot Institute of Health EquityThis keynote speech will address some of the inequalities in health that result from work-related musculoskeletal disorders, as well as some of the inequalities in the social determinants of health that shape these. Curriculum Vitae Michael Alexander is a Senior Research Fellow at the UCL Institute of Health Equity. He has authored several major reports for the IHE, including one on the role of the private sector in reducing health inequalities and, most recently, on the built environment and the property sector. He has an MA from the University of Cambridge, an MBBS from the University of Nottingham, and an MPH from the University of Liverpool. Research Interests
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Constrained Postures and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (e.g. sitting, standing)
Curriculum Vitae Pieter Coenen is senior research at the Department of Public and Occupational Health at Amesterdam UMC, the Netherlands. He is human movement scientist and epidemiologist by training. In his research and teaching, Pieter likes to focus on what we can do for workers with physically demanding jobs to live healthy working lives Research Interests
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