Two leading UK organisations, civil engineering firm MP Coleman Ltd and Thames Valley Air Ambulance, have been nationally recognised with the prestigious MSD Risk Reduction Through Design Awards. These accolades celebrate innovative design changes that significantly cut musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) for their workers, marking the tenth year of the awards programme.
Awards celebrate engineering and charity for safer workplaces.
The awards, proudly sponsored by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF), highlight employers who have proactively redesigned workplace tasks to eliminate or substantially reduce the risk of MSDs. Musculoskeletal disorders, affecting the back, joints, and limbs, remain one of the most prevalent causes of work-related ill health across Britain, underscoring the critical importance of such preventative measures. The decade-long initiative continues to champion creative solutions that foster healthier working environments.
MP Coleman Ltd, a civil engineering and materials company, secured the main award for its transformative approach to palletising 25kg bags. Previously, workers manually handled approximately five tonnes of material per shift, a process involving repetitive bending and twisting motions that led to lower back fatigue and shoulder discomfort. The company’s innovative solution involved integrating a robotic arm to automatically pick, place, and stack bags, complemented by an automatic wrapping unit that entirely replaced manual stretch wrapping. Enhanced perimeter guarding and automated controls further bolstered safety and streamlined the workflow. Crucially, no jobs were lost; instead, employees were successfully upskilled into alternative roles within the organisation, demonstrating a commitment to both safety and workforce development.
Thames Valley Air Ambulance, a vital charity serving over two million people across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire, received the Small to Medium Enterprise Recognition Award. Their challenge involved the frequent handling of training manikins, weighing between 20kg and 40kg, multiple times a day.
The restricted storage space often made it difficult for two workers to maintain ideal lifting postures, thereby increasing the risk of injury. In response, the charity collaborated with equipment manufacturers, health and safety specialists, and its own workers to develop bespoke roller shelving and a height-adjustable roller trolley. This ingenious design has substantially mitigated MSD risks, transforming what was a two-person task into a safe, one-person operation, significantly improving worker well-being.
Chris Quarrie, HSE’s Chartered Ergonomist, Human Factors Specialist, and chair of this year’s judging panel, commended the winners, stating, “We congratulate both MP Coleman and Thames Valley Air Ambulance for reducing workplace MSD risks for their workers; hopefully, their ideas can inspire others. This is the tenth year of the MSD risk reduction through design awards, and they demonstrate how design changes can eliminate or significantly reduce MSD risk — creating healthier workplaces.” These examples powerfully illustrate how thoughtful design and investment in ergonomics can lead to tangible improvements in occupational health, setting a benchmark for other employers seeking to enhance safety and productivity. The proactive engagement of workers in the design process further ensures that solutions are practical, effective, and readily adopted, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in workplace safety.
Originally published by the Health and Safety Executive.
