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THE MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER (MSD) PREVENTION GUIDELINE FOR ONTARIO
Contact Info
The Occupational Health and Safety Council for Ontario's (OHSCO) MSD
Prevention Guideline for Ontario and the Resource Manual for the MSD
Prevention Guideline are now available. The guideline and resource manual are
the first documents to be released from OHSCO's MSD Prevention Series.
The MSD Prevention Guideline provides a framework for MSD prevention. For
a health and safety program to be successful, employers and workers must be
committed to MSD prevention. Establishing this foundation for success is the
first step outlined in the guideline.
The resource manual contains information on implementing the process
described in the guideline. It also contains information on understanding and
recognizing MSD hazards, risk assessment and hazard controls.
The guideline and resource manual outline the primary MSD hazards of
force, repetition and awkward or fixed postures. It also deals with the
secondary hazards of contact stress, vibration, cold temperatures, hot
environments and work organization and methods.
Both documents also emphasize that workplaces should look for hazards
before they become a problem. Workplaces can look for potential hazards by
reviewing existing data sources such as WSIB claims, employee reports of
discomfort and absenteeism. Once hazards are identified, workplaces can
prevent potential MSDs by actively seeking input from workers, incorporating
MSD hazard identification into regular workplace inspections and using hazard
identification tools on existing jobs.
The resource manual points out that an MSD risk assessment can be done
simply by the workplace parties jointly identifying the existence of MSD
hazards and determining the root causes of these hazards. There will be times
however, when a more detailed assessment will be required. In these cases,
in-house staff or external consultants with experience, knowledge and training
in MSD mechanisms and prevention may be required.
Importantly, the guideline and resource manual state that whenever there
is an elevated risk of workers developing an MSD, suitable controls should be
implemented. Controls may be in the form of workstation modifications,
equipment design/availability, environmental adjustments and/or job
design/organization. The importance of controls is stressed by emphasizing the
necessity of evaluating the short-term and long-term impacts of the control.
The next document to be released under the MSD Prevention Series will be
the MSD Prevention Toolbox. Its release is anticipated later in 2007. It will
contain worksheets, surveys, hazard identification tools and guidance on risk
assessment methods.
MSDs have been a significant workplace disorder for many years.
Preventing these disorders has been an ongoing challenge. With a provincial
guideline and supporting resource manual, Ontario employers and workers now
have a solid framework to refer to while addressing these disorders.
English and French electronic copies of the MSD Prevention Guideline and
the Resource Manual for MSD Prevention for Ontario are available for free
download from the WSIB
(
http://www.wsib.on.ca/wsib/wsibsite.nsf/public/PreventMSD) and Ontario's
Health and Safety Associations.
Contact:
Belinda Sutton
Ministry of Labour
416-326-7405
Disponible en français
www.labour.gov.on.ca
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THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY COUNCIL OF ONTARIO (OHSCO):
ONTARIO'S OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEM
The Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario (OHSCO) is
comprised of senior decision-makers from Ontario's occupational health and
safety prevention system. The system is comprised of the Ministry of Labour,
the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), the Institute for Work and
Health and the Health and Safety Associations.
OHSCO sets priorities and develops strategies for improving the
occupational health and safety system in Ontario. Their goal is to create
healthy and safe workplaces and prevent all workplace injuries and fatalities.
The OHSCO partners have distinct roles within the system.
Ministry of Labour
The Ministry of Labour is responsible for overseeing and enforcing
provincial legislation and regulations with respect to occupational health and
safety.
Specifically, the ministry's role is to:
— Set, communicate and enforce occupational health and safety standards
— Motivate, influence and regulate workplaces to reduce or eliminate
injury or illness
— Create an environment in workplaces where safety, productivity and
competitiveness are inter-connected.
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
The WSIB oversees Ontario's workplace safety education and training
system. It also administers the province's no-fault workplace insurance system
for employers and their workers.
As part of this system, the WSIB provides disability benefits, monitors
the quality of health care, and assists in the early and safe return to work
for workers who are injured on the job or contract an occupational disease.
The WSIB is paid for entirely by employer premiums and receives no
funding from the Ontario government. The WSIB's vision is to eliminate all
workplace injuries and illnesses in Ontario.
The WSIB is also responsible for promoting, educating and fostering
workplace health and safety, and for funding health and safety associations.
In addition, the WSIB:
— Develops prevention plans and works with the health and safety
associations to set prevention targets and objectives
— Motivates and influences workplaces to implement good health and
safety programs and practices
— Raises awareness of the importance of health and safety, in
workplaces and the community
— Provides information that will help workplaces achieve successful
health and safety programs
— Conducts research, analysis, and policy work to support strategic and
operational functions
— Administers legislated training programs (e.g. First Aid,
Certification).
Institute for Work & Health
The Institute for Work & Health is an independent, not-for-profit
organization whose mission is to conduct and share research with workers,
labour, employers, clinicians and policy-makers to promote, protect and
improve the health of working people. The Institute has been providing
research and evidence-based practical tools for clinicians, policy-makers,
workers, labour and managers since 1990. It operates with the support of the
WSIB.
Health and Safety Associations
Health and Safety Associations are designated under the Workplace Safety
and Insurance Act, 1997, as safe workplace associations specializing in
occupational health and safety matters.
These associations work to improve health and safety performance of their
clients and communities with the aim of making Ontario workplaces the safest
in the world. They are funded by the WSIB.
Health and Safety Associations establish prevention strategies for their
sectors, pursuant to standards set by the WSIB. As well, they:
— Lead in the development and delivery of injury and illness prevention
education, training programs, products and services
— Provide audit, consultation and technical services
— Raise awareness and provide prevention information
— Sponsor conferences
— Provide operational expertise to clients
— Identify, motivate and influence workplaces to implement good health
and safety programs and practices
— Develop risk-based prevention plans.
Health and Safety Associations who are members of OHSCO and who consulted
on the MSD Prevention Guideline include:
— Construction Safety Association of Ontario
— Education Safety Association of Ontario
— Electrical & Utilities Safety Association
— Farm Safety Association
— Industrial Accident Prevention Association
— Mines and Aggregates Safety and Health Association
— Municipal Health and Safety Association
— Ontario Forestry Safe Workplace Association
— Ontario Service Safety Alliance
— Ontario Safety Association for Community and Healthcare
— Pulp and Paper Health and Safety Association
— Transportation Health and Safety Association of Ontario
— Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW)
— Workers Health and Safety Centre (WHSC).
Contact:
Belinda Sutton
Ministry of Labour
416-326-7405
Disponible en français
www.labour.gov.on.ca
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MINISTRY OF LABOUR PAINS AND STRAINS CAMPAIGN:
REDUCING WORKPLACE ERGONOMIC-RELATED INJURIES
Workplace ergonomic-related injuries are responsible for roughly over
40 per cent of all lost-time injuries, causing serious pain and suffering for
Ontario workers and economic loss for employers. Direct costs due to lost-time
ergonomic-related injuries totaled more than $3 billion from 1996 to 2004.
Workplace ergonomic-related injuries are also known as musculoskeletal
disorders (MSDs), Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), Cumulative Trauma Disorder
(CTD) and Repetitive Motion Injury (RMI). These are umbrella terms for a
number of injuries and disorders of the muscles, tendons and nerves, etc.
These types of injuries can develop as a result of the cumulative effects of
repetitive, stressful or awkward movements on bones, joints, ligaments and
other soft tissues. Ergonomics (the science of fitting the work to the worker)
is considered a key to injury prevention.
As part of the government's plan to reduce workplace injuries by 20 per
cent by 2008, the Ministry of Labour is working with its health and safety
partners to reduce workplace ergonomic-related injuries.
Initial steps to address ergonomic-related injuries began with the
creation of the Minister of Labour's Ergonomics Advisory Panel - consisting of
employer and labour representatives - to study ergonomic issues and recommend
preventive strategies. In 2005, the Ergonomics Advisory Panel presented a
preliminary report to the Minister, with recommendations and preventive
strategies.
In January 2006, the Pains and Strains Campaign was launched to implement
six recommendations:
Increase education and awareness of MSDs and prevention
— The ministry worked with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
(WSIB) and the Health and Safety Associations to create a resource
sheet to help workers and employers identify and prevent ergonomic-
related injuries in the workplace. The sheet is available at
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/ergonomics/is_ergonomics.html.
— In spring 2006, the Pains and Strains website was launched. This
website contains extensive resources and tools for employers and
workers. The website is available at
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pains/index.html.
Focus on MSD prevention in the high-risk initiative
— The ministry is focused on raising employer and worker awareness of
ergonomic-related injuries and risk factors by providing information
and discussing ergonomic hazards during visits with high-risk
workplaces in the industrial and health-care sectors only.
— By spring 2007, MSD enforcement activities will move beyond high-risk
workplaces in the industrial and health care sector, to all
workplaces.
Enhanced training for inspectors on MSD prevention
— Industrial and health care sector inspectors responsible for high-
risk inspections received basic ergonomics training in spring 2006.
— Ergonomics/MSD training is currently underway for all health and
safety inspectors. This will allow all inspectors to identify
ergonomic hazards as part of an inspection and take appropriate
action.
New Resource Materials
— The ministry has worked with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
(WSIB), the Institute for Work and Health and Health and Safety
Associations, as part of the Occupational Health and Safety Council
of Ontario (OHSCO) to develop the MSD Prevention Guideline for
Ontario and the Resource Manual for the MSD Prevention Guideline for
Ontario
— The MSD Prevention Toolbox to accompany the guideline is currently
under development and will be released in late 2007. The Toolbox will
contain information sheets, sample surveys, hazard identification
tools and control strategies.
— Sector-specific guidelines will be developed in conjunction with
various health and safety associations.
Improved tracking of ergonomic-related inspections
— The ministry has created and implemented new mechanisms to track
inspection activities.
Increased ergonomic expertise
— Anne Duffy joined the ministry in October 2006 as the new Provincial
Ergonomist.
— As Provincial Ergonomist, Anne leads the Pains and Strains campaign
and acts as the senior ministry expert on ergonomics. She has over
20 years of experience dealing with health and safety in the
workplace, and she has authored and developed various guidelines and
other tools on ergonomics for workplaces. She is a Canadian Certified
Professional Ergonomist and a Canadian Registered Safety
Professional.
Contact:
Belinda Sutton
Ministry of Labour
416-326-7405
Disponible en français
www.labour.gov.on.ca
