Health as the foundation for productivity and innovation: Students on the Master’s programme in Health Sciences and Management at the Faculty of Life Sciences, Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences, gained comprehensive insights into current trends and innovations relating to health and safety at work, health promotion and workplace health management (BGM) at the A+A trade fair in Düsseldorf.
A systematically structured Workplace Health Management (WHM) programme is regarded as a key factor in a company’s success. Healthy, motivated and productive employees are crucial for satisfaction, creativity and long-term business success. As future architects of such structures, the students attended the trade fair – the world’s largest trade fair for occupational health and safety and workplace health management.
Through specialist presentations, they gained fascinating insights into current issues such as physical inactivity, poor posture and digital stress at computer workstations. Experts presented strategies on how companies can sustainably reduce the strain on their staff through targeted promotion of physical activity, ergonomic workplace design and preventive measures.
A particular highlight was the visit to the Exopark, where the students were able to test various exoskeletons from research and industry. These body-worn assistive systems provide support during physically demanding tasks and help to prevent musculoskeletal disorders – one of the most common causes of absenteeism in Germany.
“The visit to the trade fair offered our students a valuable opportunity to combine theoretical knowledge from their studies with practical experience and to experience the latest developments in the world of work at first hand,” emphasised Prof. Dr Robert Renner, Professor of Health Promotion and Nutrition and Programme Director of the Master’s programme. The excursion was accompanied by Heike Holtappel, a research assistant at the Faculty of Life Sciences.
