Professor Antonio (or Nino to his friends) Grieco suddenly passed away at the age of 72 years, on 30 April 2003, while he was still fully committed in his manifold activities as a teacher and a researcher in the field of occupational health and ergonomics. His important scientific, social and ethical contributions to prevention of work-related musculoskeletal injury, which is only briefly summarized in the biosketch introducing this special issue, remain for many – and we are among them – an essential reference for scientific research and professional practice. That is why, after a period of deep dismay for this loss, we have decided to make a tribute to Professor Grieco, to express our most heartfelt acknowledgement of his work, through a collection of the original contributions in the field of ergonomics, of which he was at the same time a master and a reputed scientist.
These contributions have been prepared by researchers who all over the world, but at different times, have collaborated with Antonio Grieco. We are extremely pleased to present these papers in the prestigious Journal of Ergonomics for which Professor Grieco had been a collaborator and a guest editor. Through this Special Issue, all authors, in their own area of research and practice of ergonomics, pronounce a great deal of gratitude for and an unforgettable memory of a man and a master who deeply affected our knowledge and our lives.