In the case of electrical hazards, an electric shock is conceivable during the charging process. Protection against direct or indirect contact with live parts is required here as a safety measure. In addition, regular testing of fixed and non-fixed charging devices, for example in emergency vehicles or the fire department depot, can help to minimize the risk of electric shock during a charging process. Short-circuiting due to reverse polarity of the battery or charging infrastructure must also be ruled out, for example by using connections that are protected against reverse polarity.

The mechanical hazard during drone operation can come from controlled moving but unprotected parts (e.g. propeller). Regular inspection for defects before each use is absolutely essential, as even a hairline crack in the propeller, for example, can spread over time to become a hazard due to propeller parts flying around. A propeller guard can be used to protect against contact. In addition, work procedures, especially before takeoff and after landing, must be designed to provide safeguards against accidental movement or contact. For example, the takeoff and landing area must be marked and secured against entry by unauthorized or uninvolved persons. This is not only relevant during the day, but also at night due to poor visibility conditions.

Sufficient lighting can increase visibility for third parties. Another mechanical hazard is the crash, tripping or falling over of the drone pilot, airspace observer or an assistant. Especially when launching from slopes or landing sites that are difficult to access, ensure surefootedness by wearing suitable footwear and remove obstacles or debris in the vicinity of the propellers. It can often be helpful to equip one of the emergency vehicles with a loading area (e.g. a pick-up truck) so that take-offs and landings can be carried out on the loading area. This saves time for set-up as well as lighting launch sites on open terrain and prevents the need to clear launch areas of obstacles such as small rocks that can be stirred up by air turbulence from the spinning propellers and damage the UAS. If the takeoff and landing site is set up on a vehicle, it is imperative that it is selected so that there are no large metal parts, e.g., on the loading area. Depending on the drone model, the magnetic field may be affected to such an extent that the drone's magnetic sensor indicates an error. In drone models with more than one magnetic sensor, i.e. those with redundant Integrated Measuring Unit (IMU), this effect is compensated for in most cases.

Unprotected moving drones in the air also pose a certain mechanical hazard, which can be reduced by impact protection. It is relevant to pay attention to the protection of the controlled area on the ground where the take-offs and landings take place and, in the case of heavier drones weighing 4 kg or more, also to the area under the drone in case of a crash. Since helmets are generally compulsory at the site of operation, the maximum impact energy of 89 joules calculated from civilian drone operation does not apply to drones up to 249 g.

Not only during normal operations, but also when recovering lost drones, there is a risk of the recovery personnel falling, for example if a mission drone has made an emergency landing on a steep slope in a tree. Here, too, surefootedness must be ensured by suitable footwear. Obstacles and debris must be removed accordingly.

In the case of chemical hazards, the focus is on skin contact with solids and liquids or working with moisture. Skin protection (e.g. gloves) can be worn and a skin cleanser or care product used in the event of contamination. Outgassing of battery cells is also possible, which can be minimized by using lithium polymer batteries. Outgassing does not occur with these batteries. However, due to the extremely high energy density, the risk of ignition or explosion is conceivable, for example due to overheating, overcharging or mechanical overstressing of the battery. One countermeasure is the use of so-called LiPo bags, which should be used for storage, but also during a charging process. These can limit the spread of flames in the event of a fault by minimizing the supply of oxygen.

The exposure of the drone operations team to the work environment can have a negative impact on occupational safety, both physically and mentally. Physical stresses include lighting. Particularly at night, excessively illuminated take-off and landing areas or bright flashing lights on the drone can dazzle the pilots and other persons or impair their activities. Reflections from a flashing drone on the safety strips of the uniform can also be irritating. As a countermeasure, different illuminance levels should be used both at night and during the day, and the work areas should be selected in each case so that no danger can occur on the ground. If it is not otherwise possible, eye protection against glare can also be worn. Another physical impairment is the noise that can be generated by engines or propeller noise. This can be reduced by wearing hearing protection. Most operational helmets already have such hearing protection integrated.

The greatest mental stress from the work environment caused by the use of drones comes from long periods of concentration. Not only the drone pilots have to observe many parameters simultaneously during the flight in a highly concentrated manner, such as the battery status, sources of danger on the ground and in the air, radio messages from the airspace observers, position and orientation of the drone, but also the airspace observers can have difficulty concentrating after a while and should be relieved. This time value varies from person to person and must be determined individually for each airspace observer and drone pilot in the exercises. If this is not possible, the following guideline values must be observed:

• Drone pilot: 10 minutes break after 45 minutes flight
• Airspace observer: 15 minutes break after 90 minutes observation

Internal operating instructions can be drawn up for this purpose. Operational personnel should be instructed accordingly and safety instructions already available for work with long concentration phases should be applied as prescribed.

In Switzerland, approximately four out of five buildings are planned with predefined fire protection measures and approved by the authorities. The currently valid fire protection regulations (BSV 2015) already take different user risks into account. This is evidenced by the fact that tailor-made measures are required for various building types and their forms of use in order to achieve the protection goals. However, the prescriptive fire protection regulations also allow for completely different solutions - those that are not implemented according to the standard scheme - by means of verification and applied engineering methods.

How does standardized fire protection in combination with equivalent, deviating solutions already find application today? Cost pressure, a dynamic environment and many decisive criteria - for example, type of construction, location, use, occupancy, fire loads, building geometry and many more - make construction projects seem complex. Conflicts of objectives in fire protection are also not uncommon. In order to meet the objectives of the building owner, the protection goals and, in principle, the interests of all those involved in the construction and projects, holistic solutions in fire protection are required. Solutions that combine standard and performance-oriented methods.

Interested parties will receive detailed specialist knowledge on the subject of fire protection directly from the experts at a symposium on March 16, 2023 in Zurich. Various presentations on new possibilities, scientific findings, current methods and technologies as well as project examples from practice form the basis for this exciting knowledge transfer. The conference is organized by Save AG. This company specializes in the practical transfer of knowledge between security experts on the topics of risk management, corporate security, building security, safety and health protection (AS&GS), fire protection, information and infrastructure security, population protection as well as machine and process safety, incident prevention, natural and environmental hazards, guarding and integral security concepts.

Source and further information: Save Inc.

The head of the DDPS, Viola Amherd, has instructed the army and Armasuisse to learn lessons from a report by an independent auditing firm. In November, the Federal Councillor commissioned the auditing firm BDO AG to conduct an investigation. Assignedto be able to evaluate whether more additional credits are needed for airspace surveillance and data centers. An additional financial requirement was located and the fact was attributed to three causes:

1. According to the DDPS, the delays in the DDPS data centers project led to delays in the projects for replacing the Florako command and control systems. These delays were due to asynchronous project and time schedules as well as insufficient or overestimated personnel resources at the Command Support Base and the Cyber Command project. The necessary personnel resources are still being secured with external services.
2. Furthermore, the technical, requirement-related dependencies in project and risk management were underestimated and not sufficiently coordinated. The higher demands on the network are primarily in the areas of data transmission rates, real-time data processing and encryption. In addition, there are additional costs for the expansion of the DDPS data centers.
3. Since those responsible for the project had assumed in the original planning regarding the replacement of the command and control systems that the IT services (personnel project provision for the integration and migration to the data center) would be borne entirely by the budget of the command and control support base, there was, according to the DDPS, no financial leeway to cover these ultimately external costs via the project.

Concrete measures for future projects are now to be developed and implemented. These are expected to be available and communicated from spring 2023.

Source: DDPS, BDO 

"Our houses are crumbling!" reads a placard at a demonstration in Dublin. "100 % reparations," reads T-shirts worn by participants - seen in a photo in the Nov. 15 online edition of The Irish Times. For years, unstable concrete in County Donegal has caused massive damage to many homes, which a government task force has also been dealing with since April 2016. For years, there have been demonstrations, disputes in parliament - and the costs for damages and compensation are likely to amount to up to three billion euros; estimated, today's status.

The headlines on this case are now also putting Empa researchers in the spotlight. The reason: at a specialist conference on this sensitive topic in Letterkenny, Ireland, on November 15, Andreas Leemann gave a presentation on concrete technology. He described the results of analyses on unstable concrete carried out together with environmental researcher Paul Dunlop from Ulster University and other experts - and contradicted a hitherto widespread assumption: a high proportion of the mineral mica, according to the previous theory, makes the building material susceptible to frost damage when its pores are filled with water.

But no; the Swiss experts see the cause in another component that the experts in Ireland had not previously targeted: Detailed examinations of concrete samples from four affected houses showed that a mineral called pyrrhotin, made up of iron and sulfur, is present in the building material in large proportions - and apparently triggers a disastrous cascade.

When pyrrhotine in the cement paste of concrete is oxidized by oxygen present, this releases sulfur, which in turn leads to the formation of ettringite. This mineral is formed anyway during the hardening of cement - but the additional ettringite formation leads to expansion, which eventually causes cracks in the concrete.

If further sulfur is released, the mineral thaumasite is formed. This process reduces the strength of the concrete by dissolving important constituents such as calcium silicate hydrates, and may ultimately result in the disintegration of the building material.

Detective research work

In order to be able to clarify and prove the damage mechanisms inside this special concrete, the Empa team admittedly had to do some detective work - from conventional material tests to complex scanning electron microscope and X-ray examinations to thermodynamic modeling. And in addition, research into meteorological data was carried out in order to get to the bottom of the common theory of frost damage caused by an excessively high mica content.

The on-site inspection had already contradicted this assumption. Typical cracks due to the influence of cold run parallel to the walls, whereas here they only ran vertically into the walls - often from the floor up to the roof. In some cases, they had even continued downward from above, where the influence of cold is less.

As it turned out, the meteorological awards also clearly argued against the cause being frost. Weather phases of the necessary cold and duration that could have triggered such damage occurred too rarely in the Atlantic-influenced climate of the region, namely only twice: from mid-December 2009 and from November 2010. In addition, the first damage was already evident before these events, and in the affected houses, widening of the cracks can be observed even in summer months. They can also affect interior walls that are protected from the elements.

Conclusion: Frost plays no or at best a minor role in concrete damage.

Limit values exceeded in EU building regulations

But why was the new explanation due to the pyrrhotine content and its consequences overlooked before? According to Andreas Leemann, this possibility is simply not taken into account in the relevant Irish building regulation IS 465. In contrast, the corresponding EU standard EN 12620 stipulates that any pyrrhotine content in the building materials must be taken into account in the sulfur content. "We analyzed the sulfur content of the aggregate of the concrete in samples from four houses," Leemann told The Irish Times, "the values exceeded the permissible EU limit by a factor of 4 to 7."

Although the Empa experts examined samples from only four houses in detail, it stands to reason that the results can be generalized, as data from Irish engineers from nearly 100 affected houses show that they also contain considerable amounts of pyrrhotine.

Those affected sometimes in difficult situations

The insights from Switzerland have already triggered a great response in Ireland, as shown by reports on Irish television and radio and in newspapers such as the "Irish Times". And the topic will continue to receive a great deal of attention in the future, especially since the Empa team will be investigating the concrete problem in greater depth in a project financed by the Irish state together with international partners. At the symposium in mid-November, two people affected by the problem were also present and reported on their situation. Among other things, the public has criticized the fact that an application for state compensation has so far only been possible for affected primary residences. In the meantime, it has become known that the most severely affected homeowners will receive state support of up to 20,000 euros in a first step, for example to move out and find a temporary place to stay or to store their possessions.

The Empa expert was able to get an idea of the conditions for those affected during his on-site investigations and document them photographically: cracked facades, large areas of chipped plaster, completely decomposed concrete and severe mold damage. In one of the houses, they were so pronounced in the kitchen and bedrooms that the family of three has been sleeping in the living room for a long time - conditions you wouldn't expect in Europe. "These people," Leemann said, "are living in a ruin."

Source: Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research 

At the invitation of Japan, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis took part in a ministerial debate in New York on the rule of law. Like Japan, Switzerland is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and has also held the presidency since the beginning of the year.

"The principles of the Charter are being put to the test today. They were blatantly violated in the case of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine," Cassis stressed in his vote in the Security Council.

Cassis called on UN member states to respect international law and the principles of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use or threat of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state. He said the Swiss would work to further strengthen the rule of law.

Meeting planned with US Secretary of State Blinken

During his stay in New York, FDFA Head Ignazio Cassis met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, President of the UN General Assembly Csaba Kőrösi, UN Ombudsperson Richard Malanjum and other representatives of permanent and non-permanent member states of the UN Security Council.

On Friday, the Federal Council will travel to Washington D.C., where it will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, among others. Among other things, cooperation with the USA in the UN Security Council will be discussed for Switzerland's priority areas. Switzerland's main priorities in the UN Security Council are the protection of civilians, the promotion of sustainable peace and the strengthening of the Council and the preservation of climate security.

The text of the written address to the ministerial debate is available on the FDFA website (in French). be tracked.

Source: DFA

Not only private households, but also companies are currently looking for inexpensive heating alternatives. In some cases, mobile gas heaters or similar devices are used. But caution is required when operating them, especially indoors, warns the Employer's Liability Insurance Association for Health Services and Welfare (BGW): If the devices are not used as intended, there is a risk of fire, explosion and suffocation.

Fire and suffocation hazard

Gas heaters always use a hazardous substance to generate heat, because the gas cylinders contain liquid gas. This is usually butane, propane or a mixture thereof. Danger exists when gas escapes in an uncontrolled manner, for example due to a faulty connection or a damaged connection line to the gas cylinder. An explosion and fire can then occur in the vicinity of ignition sources.

There is also a risk of suffocation. Propane and butane are heavier than air and can accumulate, for example, in the cellar or at the cellar entrance. For this reason, it is generally prohibited to store or operate gas cylinders below ground level, for example in basements or garages. The combustion of the gases also consumes oxygen from the ambient air. This increases the level of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, which can also lead to asphyxiation.

What companies need to know

Not all devices are suitable for commercial use. Whether this is the case is stated in the operating instructions or can be obtained from the manufacturing company. If commercial operation is permitted, the conditions for this are restricted - for example, with regard to ventilation and the selection of the pressure reducer. Also, whether an appliance is approved for indoor use can be found in the instructions. Anyone who wants to use a gas heater should thoroughly familiarize themselves with its operation in advance, prepare a risk assessment and instruct employees in its proper use.

Before commissioning, the following questions must be answered with "Yes":

1. Is the device suitable for commercial use?
2. May the device be operated under the planned conditions?
3. Has an appropriate risk assessment been carried out?

Not in the vicinity of flammable substances

The operation of a gas heater is particularly dangerous if there are explosive or flammable substances in the room where it is installed. Where companies store or use flammable substances, their use is therefore prohibited. Such substances also include everyday products such as cleaning agents and disinfectants, adhesives or hair sprays. Particularly critical is therefore, among other things, the use in businesses of the beauty and wellness industry, hairdressing stores, therapeutic practices, or even in tattoo and piercing studios.

Source: Employer's Liability Insurance Association for Health Services and Welfare (BGW)

A Siemens Smart Infrastructure plant in Zug, Switzerland, has been named "Factory of the Year 2022" in the Excellence in Supply Chain Resilience category. The award, according to Siemens, represents recognition of resilience as well as preventive risk management in the supply chain, which has proven to be outstanding compared to other factories in Europe, according to a statement. The industry competition for "Factory of the Year" was held by international management consultancy Kearney.

Seamless resource efficiency

The factory is succeeding in ensuring product deliveries to customers even under the current difficult conditions, Siemens continues. A number of preventive measures play a role, such as a "risk radar" for the early detection of global risks in the supply chain, the high level of data transparency across the entire value chain, and the seamless collaboration with purchasing, logistics, development and sales. Particular praise was given to resource efficiency. It is above all the Tech Group's culture of innovation as well as the constant optimization of processes and workflows, but also the continuous training of employees, that have contributed to the plant's high adaptability, the Tech Group comments.

The Siemens plant in Zug employs around 350 people, who work in shifts to manufacture building technology products. Among the products manufactured at the Zug plant are fire detectors and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment for building automation. The official award ceremony will take place in March 2023 at the "Factory of the Year" industry congress in Munich.

Source: Siemens

In Valais, the fire department software seems to be acting up, as "Inside-IT" reports with reference to the Valais Messenger. writes. The software "VS-Fire" failed twice in a row shortly. However, it is primarily used for personnel scheduling, reporting and recording material inventories. Without access to "VS-Fire," however, it is like not being able to use an e-mail program, he said. A number of other problems could arise for the corps, however, such as when they quickly call on necessary material and more forces during an operation, according to the newspaper report. In such a case, the corps might have to call off additional bases to quickly get the resources they need. But when every minute counts, this is not an ideal scenario.

Patrick Steffen, president of the Upper Valais Fire Brigade Association, confirmed to the newspaper that it is true that the fire department software cannot be accessed at the moment. However, the alerting solution is separate from the administrative software. Apparently, the solution of the company Alpha Informatique has faltered for some time. Already in the fall, there was a failure, writes the "Bote". They are currently working on getting the solution up and running again. However, it is not known when this will be the case. Currently, the canton is looking for new software to replace "VS-Fire".

Source: Inside IT, Valais Messenger

Like "Bleeping Computer" reports, all Windows 7 Pro and Enterprise versions will no longer receive security updates after January 10, 2023.

Microsoft originally launched Windows 7 in October 2009, and the regular support cycle with additional operating system updates ended in January 2015. Microsoft already launched an extended support phase with the most important security updates in January 2020. As part of the extended security phase, it was possible for companies to still receive the most important security updates for the Windows operating system for three years against payment.

Versions of Windows 8.1 were launched in November 2013 and, according to Microsoft, will also no longer receive Extended Security Support after January 10.

As "The Verge" reportsAccording to a study, almost 100 million devices with Windows 7 are still in use worldwide.

Home and enterprise users who are still running Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 should upgrade to Windows 10 or Windows 11. If the hardware is not too outdated, now is the last time to upgrade the equipment soon.

Windows 10 runs the regular support phase on October 14, 2025.

Sources: Bleeping Computer, The Verge, Microsoft

How do you perceive your work?" This question was asked of nurses in the cantons of Neuchâtel and Jura in November 2020, in the midst of the second Corona wave. The Neuchâtel/Jura section of the Swiss Nursing Association (SBK) wanted to conduct an observational study to find out how nurses perceive their profession and how demanding and exhausting it is.

The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was used for the survey, which was administered to the nurses via professional and social networks during two weeks. After data collection, the different underlying scores were calculated and a distinction was made between feelings of professional exhaustion, depersonalization and self-actualization.

The staff suffers

During the second wave of corona, covid cases in Switzerland seemed to increase exponentially, with an average of 500 new cases per day on October 7, 2020, which had increased to an average of 8600 cases per day by November 7. On November 1, the press informed about the saturation of the health system in the canton of Neuchâtel. In western Switzerland, nursing homes were particularly affected. Members of the SBC of the Canton of Jura approached the Section and told of their suffering at work. "I recently graduated, but I am already in the phase of incipient burnout; I handed in my resignation to my supervisor, who refused to accept it," recounts a young female nurse. Several professionals describe a considerable overload in the work environment, an incipient exhaustion and the fear that this situation could last longer. They also question certain decisions. "I don't understand why the weekly meetings were abolished without asking the people concerned and without considering the possibility of videoconferencing," criticizes one nurse. "The function of a nurse requires that you consult with each other, work together, exchange information with colleagues, especially in this pandemic period," says another.

Insufficient capacities

The greatest concern is capacity in intensive care units - to the detriment of nursing homes, which seem to be almost forgotten as a result. However, it is not only a matter of protecting the residents, but also the caregivers. The health crisis occurred in an environment that was already considered difficult by caregivers. In 2019, the SBC urged that nurses be supported in terms of their working conditions, emphasizing staffing levels in particular. Support, they said, should enable nurses to stay in the profession longer (46 % leave the profession prematurely). In this context, the Neuchâtel/Jura section considered it appropriate to give weight to nurses' perceptions by seeking answers to the following questions: how do nurses perceive their professional situation during this particular period? Is it possible to measure the risk for professional exhaustion? What about the ability of the care network to mobilize and provide information about this type of problem?

Working conditions and extreme commitment

Quality of life at work is defined as follows: "The conditions under which employees carry out their work and their possibility to express themselves on the content of these conditions and to influence them determine the perception of the quality of life at work resulting from these conditions." (Haute autorité de santé, France) The relationship between quality of life at work and quality of care no longer needs to be specifically mentioned; the international literature on the subject clearly demonstrates this relationship. Teamwork and collaboration, training, workload or the interdependence between the above parameters, as well as the staff and the possibility to act in accordance with its values: These are all factors that have an impact on work perceived as "good" (Clot, Y.2010). The nursing staff is considered to be at risk because of the extreme commitment they show. However, the exercise of the nursing profession is unthinkable without the dimension of this marked commitment, which is a cornerstone in nursing, as pointed out by Clémence Dallaire, professor of nursing science at the University of Laval (2008). However, this commitment can develop in the wrong direction if the gap between the idea of the profession and the reality becomes too great.

Factors that can lead to exhaustion

In the current situation, professional representatives are paying increased attention to suffering at work. An evaluation of the risk of burnout is strongly recommended by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), both in terms of the associated consequences in the personal sphere and for the company itself. The professional exhaustion is due to a relationship with a work considered difficult, stressful and (or) tiring, specifies the American psychologist Christina Maslach (2006), specialized in the topic of stress at work. It is a physical, emotional and psychological state of exhaustion resulting from the great expectations, associated with a chronic stress at work. There are six factors that promote the occurrence of exhaustion (Leiter, M. & Maslach, C., 2008):

• Work overload
• the feeling of having no control
• lack of recognition
• Crumbling away of the sense of community
• Feeling of injustice and lack of recognition
• Conflict of values and incongruence with values

Maslach's questionnaire was selected to survey nurses' perceptions of their job exhaustion. The test is often used, it has certain limitations (Langevin, V. et al., 2012), which were taken into account. The questions are formulated in the form of statements that make visible subjective elements related to professional practice.

Proven risk of burnout

The observational study revealed an alarming result: 77 % (all categories combined) rate self-actualization at work as weak. In other words, out of 361 people surveyed in November 2020, 254 are at risk of burnout. Given the persistence of the health crisis, increasing contagions peaking in December, constant hospital overload, and the emergence of variants that pushed the health care system to the brink, nurses' health is unlikely to have improved. The data collected are valuable in terms of preventive measures to be expanded or introduced to prevent caregiver dropout and even more pronounced weakening of the health care system.

There is an urgent need for action

It is important to mention that there is no relation between being mentally and physically exhausted on the one hand and being fully committed to one's work on the other. This is at the same time an indication of the resilience of the nurses, which seems to be innate or even God-given. However, one must ask oneself how high the risk is that bad feelings become chronic. It is therefore very important to maintain and value the commitment of nurses, while identifying and addressing the vulnerabilities of the profession. With this goal in mind, the SBC Ne/Ju Section, in accordance with SBC principles, has drafted the following recommendations:

• the nurses should have the opportunity to ask the question about exhaustion, time should be reserved for this on the occasion of the annual staff meetings, so that the nurses' perception is recorded and they have the opportunity to put forward ideas for improving the situation;
• the exchange in the clinical area should be promoted;
• the priorities of the individual departments should be redefined, subordinate tasks should no longer have to be carried out so that there is time to complete the essential work;
• an atmosphere of trust and support should be created;
• professional staff specialized in supporting caregivers should be available;
• the competences of the nursing staff are to be reformulated.

The Section has made it its business to listen carefully to its members. It is extremely important for them to follow the further development of the data in order to be able to keep an open ear for the needs of the practice. The section is therefore planning a new edition of the survey, taking into account developments in the nursing environment, in order to consolidate the role of the SBK as a contact and mouthpiece for the entire profession.

Sources:

• Anne Bramaud du Boucheron, master's degree in clinical nursing sciences and certified nursing specialist
• Marilyn Leuenberger, MScSI, Nursing Specialist at CHUV Lausanne
• Christine Perrin, nurse at the Centre neuchâtelois de psychiatrie, board member of the SBK section Ne/Ju
• Anne Guyot, nurse and secretary general of the SBK section Ne/Ju

Stress is thought to be responsible for about half of all days off work. Although physical risk factors are usually the most important work-related factor influencing the risk of developing MSDs, psychosocial factors can significantly increase this risk or contribute to the aggravation of an already existing disease.

For people with chronic MSDs, psychosocial factors can be a barrier to returning to (or taking up) employment. In addition, psychosocial problems such as depression and stress may be exacerbated by an existing MSD (especially if it is associated with chronic pain). There is concern that the increase in new forms of work (such as telecommuting or working from home) will result in an increase in psychosocial problems. Workers may feel isolated in such situations without the support of their colleagues. Some people find it difficult to maintain separation between (or reconciliation of) personal and professional lives when telecommuting, leading to conflict. Others, however, find telecommuting beneficial because it gives them a sense of control.

Psychosocial risks and the return to work

Psychosocial factors may also influence whether and under what circumstances people with MSDs return to work.

First, similar to physical factors, work-related psychosocial risk factors increase the risk of recurrence. It is therefore important to eliminate any physical or psychosocial hazards associated with the workplace that may have triggered or exacerbated MSD.

Secondly, individual (non-work-related) psychological factors can have a major influence on the return to work. These include, for example, that sufferers attribute the illness to work or believe that work is harmful and that their condition will worsen by returning to work. There is evidence that factors such as a "somatization tendency" (the tendency to perceive and worry about frequent physical symptoms) and health beliefs - including anxiety-related avoidance behaviors - are associated with the persistence of MSD-related pain and may have a negative impact on return to work.

How do psychosocial risk factors cause MSE?

Various theories based on the "stress response" explain the extent to which psychosocial factors can increase the risk of MSE. When affected individuals are exposed to unfavorable psychosocial factors, physiological changes occur in the body (the so-called "stress response"). These include altered breathing patterns and an accelerated heartbeat. Prolonged "stress" can lead to hormonal changes, such as the release of catecholamines or corticosteroids. Increased muscle tension, altered processes in tissue healing, and increased pain perception are all examples of how psychosocial factors can affect the development of MSE or exacerbate MSE.

In addition, when physical demands are high and there is a lack of support (from colleagues and other people), workers may try to work faster (and possibly forgo breaks). As a result, they may not pay attention to proper posture or carry extra loads (both of which increase the risk of muscle injury), or they may become careless and take risks (with a correspondingly higher risk of accidents). In addition, sufferers often do not recover sufficiently physically from such stresses, further increasing the risk of MSDs. Psychosocial pressure can also arise when demands are particularly intense, for example due to concerns about meeting targets or deadlines.

Prevention measures

• To reduce the burden of MSDs at both the individual and organizational levels, it is important to implement positive measures to eliminate the physical and psychosocial hazards following the risk assessment. The following should be considered when planning preventive measures:
• Identified hazards related to harassment or violence should be addressed as a priority. Violence in the workplace can be a serious safety and health issue with both physical and psychological consequences.
• Excessive or conflicting demands can also be a particular problem; here it helps to clarify priorities, roles and responsibilities, and decision-making paths.

Since psychosocial factors can obviously also have positive effects, corresponding further measures suggest themselves. While a lack of support from colleagues or superiors can have a negative impact, it may be helpful to improve the supply and quality of support. Such measures may also help mitigate the potentially adverse effects of other negative factors. For example, consideration could be given to developing systems of support for workers (including training for supervisors and managers). Regardless, however, efforts should always first be made to reduce the extent of overwork.

Such approaches can not only prevent the development of MSDs, but also help people with chronic MSDs to continue in their jobs. Several studies of chronically ill workers have shown that support from supervisors and colleagues plays an important role in employee retention (see Resources).

Source: Information sheet of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, 2022 (EU-OSHA) on "Psychosocial factors in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)" of 9.8.2022.

At the end of December 2022, security researchers from the Shadowserver Foundation scanned the Internet and came up with a Message on Twitter According to the report, a total of around 70,000 vulnerable Microsoft Exchange servers have been found. The figures show that just under 30,000 servers in Europe are affected. Admins should therefore ensure that the latest security updates are installed.

Otherwise, there is still a risk that some major vulnerabilities will continue to be exploited. In case of successful attacks, attackers can usually exploit the malicious code and cause a complete compromise of systems. At the end of September 2022, Microsoft also failed to release an important security update in a reasonable amount of time.

Security patches should be applied quickly

The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) was also last aware (as of November 2022) of more than 2800 vulnerable Exchange servers in Switzerland that had a vulnerability called ProxyNotShell. Attackers could exploit the vulnerability to execute code remotely ("Remote Code Execution Vulnerability" - RCE).

NCSC Recommendations:

Admins of Exchange servers should make sure to apply all the latest patches from Microsoft Exchange:

• Make sure that you have installed a current Cumulative Update (CU) with all appropriate security updates;
• Check your Exchange Server with the HealthChecker provided by Microsoft: https://microsoft.github.io/CSS-Exchange/Diagnostics/HealthChecker/;
• Scan your Exchange Server with up-to-date virus protection;
• Review your patch strategy and ensure that critical security updates are applied outside of maintenance windows.