The cases represent practical solutions to a particular safety problem, implemented by a number of small companies from different sectors: repair shops, beauty parlours, woodworking companies, wholesale trade, metal processing companies, printing industry, a laundrette, a nursing home, a printing company, and others. Each solution has been identified with regard to the task, the risk, the solution, the methodology, the effectiveness of results and (where available) the costs and benefits.

Back disorders and contamination in a beauty parlour Back disorders are a common complaint in beauty parlours. The risks of contamination and the transmission of diseases should not be dismissed either. Centre de Soins Esthétiques adopted various solutions to deal with these problems.

Building Site Orientation training and Colour-Coding On a site there may be many workers of various trades and contractors working for different contractors. A practical system was needed to improve control and co-ordination of contractors engaged to carryout building work, in order to control accidents and comply with construction site safety regulations - in particular to control access to sites and ensure that everyone on site had received training. A colour-coding system is used to identify which people have received the training and are authorised to be on site.

Certificate for the Beauticians' Code Risks of lumbar pain and contamination are just some of the hazards that beauticians face. The Simone Beauty Institute has decided to give its entire workforce training on the Beauticians' Code.

Collection and precipitation of dust from the grinding of metal coffee makers fabricated by casting aluminum alloys The aluminum dust generated during the grinding of metal coffee makers presents a risk of explosion caused by sparks or an increase of temperature. The Nicomax company has installed a new piece of equipment to collect, convey, and precipitate these dust particles.

Development of a set of safety measures During the loading and unloading of materials (merchandise) and their being moved by means of elevators and cranes, the risks are numerous and various. Boscolo Bielo thus developed safety measures on several levels to protect against the risk of accidents.

Handling of wooden panels The storage of components in the workshop and their handling generate many actions that can be the source of accidents of lumbar pain. In his carpentry shop, Jacky Thienot developed a solution for handling panels.

Installation of a lifeline During the transport of food and more specifically during the loading and unloading of tanks, there is a risk of falling. The enterprise Andres Pintaluba has strengthened the safety measures in order to reduce this risk.

Installation of a spray gun cleaning system in a garage In a garage with a bodywork section, the employees can be exposed to solvents. The spraying of the paint is done in a professional spray cabin with an exhaust system in which the exposure is low. The exposure is often higher during peripheral activities, such as the cleaning of the spray gun. After a risk analysis by the external service for accident prevention and protection at work, the Neyens Garage invested in a closed cleaning apparatus.

Installation of storage racks and a modified trailer In the wood sector, the risks of lumbago and musculoskeletal problems are not negligible. Charpente Couverture decided to take measures to reduce these risks.

Keeping sawdust exposure under control in a small carpentry shop In a carpentry shop, the employees, when they operate woodworking machines, are exposed to a number of risks, among them being exposure to sawdust. With the aid of a checklist compiled by the external accident-prevention service, the existing sawdust-exhaust installation was thoroughly examined. This resulted in a number of recommendations to optimize the installation. They were implemented step by step.

Molift Patient Lifter Consistent heavy manual lifting of patients causes many carers to suffer from musculoskeletal disorders. The nursing home Abberley House invested in a Molift patient lifter in order to prevent back strain injuries to members of staff.

Noise protection in a printing company Printing presses are a major source of high noise levels in the printing industry. The Obersteirische Druckerei und Verlagsges.mbH tackled the risk by the use of noise absorbing elements in the production hall

Preventing back disorders in a beauty salon Back disorders occurs frequently in beauty salons. The Institut Saint-Laurent decided to take steps to reduce the risk of back disorders.

Preventing Falls of Roof Carpenters In order to safeguard carpenters working on roof from falls, Oxford Safety Components uses a trellis system of aluminium safety mats, spread progressively on top of the rafters. Thes mats create a safe working surface

Prevention of emission of chemical substances During the chrome plating and polishing of metals, acid emissions are released. To reduce the risk of inhalation, Cromatura Cassanese installed extractor hoods above the chroming tanks as well as in the area for polishing the metals.

Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders among artificial lawn layers Artificial lawn layers suffer from back disorders owing to kneeling in awkward positions. Eybl Sportbau eliminated this risk through the automation of the task.

Preventive organization During the manufacture of metal items, the risks are many. Following a risk analysis, Dinamic Laser developed an accident-prevention plan to cope with all of the risks.

Re-equipping an orthopedic lab During the manufacture of orthopedic apparel, the employee is exposed to solvents and dust. Poor ergonomic posture increases the risk of musculoskeletal diseases. With the help of an external prevention service, the company carries out a risk assessment by measuring exposure. It was decided that new machinery would be installed in order to reduce risk.

Recovery tub for the accidental spillage of perchloroethylene One of the risks that can arise in laundries is the accidental spillage of perchloroethylene. The small cleaning company, Penalba, has fitted a recovery tub to the dry cleaner in order to recover any discharge of solvent.

Reduction of exposure to cutting fluids Cutting fluids are used as coolants, lubricants and corrosion inhibitors in many metal-working processes. Cutting fluids however represent health dangers. Machine manufacturer Glück installed a siphon which filters aerosols and prevents them from being released into the surrounding air

Road safety on industrial and commercial sites Serious work accidents are a common occurrence in pedestrian and vehicle areas on industrial and commercial sites. At the Josef Puntinger vehicle workshop, pedestrian and vehicle traffic is kept separate using a system of properly regulated signs.

Safe layout of lifting platforms in a car repair garage Lifting platforms in garages are a constant danger for employees working under and around vehicles. Puntinger Maintenance & Car Repair fitted automatic rests to the lifting platform to prevent the car from falling

Safer woodworking machines During the use of woodworking machines, one must not neglect the risk of cuts or of being caught by the machine. Guerrini e Bardelli conducted a risk analysis and with it renewed the protection systems of the machines.

The substitution of an organic solvent in the pre-treatment of metal surfaces Organic solvents are used in the metal manufacturing industry for removing grease from metal objects. However, the inhalation of solvent vapours can pose health risks. Metallbau Wastler GmbH assessed the risks and replaced the harmful solvent by a watersoluble chemical in order to avoid skin allergies.

The use of a dolly for moving and handling gas cylinders During the handling and moving of cylinders of gas, the back is often used. Innaca, a company that processes cylinders of gas, undertook an evaluation of the risks and applied a solution to prevent overburdening the back.