Following a multi-national tender process Prevent, an occupational hygiene and ergonomics consultancy based in Belgium, was selected to carry out the Company specific research.  This element of the project reviewed the working practices and control measures employed by European telecommunication companies to minimise the risk of MSD.

Data was collected by structured questionnaires sent out to 48 telecommunications companies throughout the EU.  This was supplemented by workplace visits to 3 companies during which a range of activities associated with the development of MSD were closely observed and documented.  Written work procedures, training schedules and health surveillance protocols from all participating companies were collated and compared to identify examples of best practice in the avoidance of MSD.  Particular attention was paid to the problems of older workers and the MSD data, statutory and of non-statutory, collected by companies.

The following activities were analysed in detail: