Euro-Safe, a project under the Grundtvig 1 strand of the Socrates Programme, came about as a result of an accident. A young female machine operator aged 18 was advised by her doctor to stop working as the repetitive work she was engaged in was the cause of her suffering from Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). The GWU’s Manufacturing and SMEs section, felt that it was important to educate the workforce on this condition

This project created greater awareness on Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), a musculoskeletal disorder brought on by repetitive movements. According to estimates issued by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), about 30% of the EU workforce suffers from muscular-skeletal disorders (MSD) which are the primary source of occupational health complaints reported by workers.

The project consortium consisted of seven partners. The GWU was the coordinator; the other partners were the University’s Centre for Labour Studies (Malta), the University of Aquila (Italy), the CGIL (Italy), bfi Steiermark (Austria), F.I.P.A. (the Netherlands) and the GFTU (UK).

The core of the project was the development of a curriculum and course targetting Occupational Health and Safety Representatives, workers’ representatives and the workers themselves.  Euro-Safe ended in September 2005.  The financial grant secured by the project consortium covered 80% of the costs of these activities.