Ministry of Labour Inspection Blitz: Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
During April, Ontario Ministry of Labour (MOL) inspectors will focus on hazards leading to the onset of MSDs during an enforcement blitz of provincially-regulated construction, industrial, healthcare and mining workplaces. This initiative is part of the province’s “Safe At Work Ontario” strategy launched in June 2008. In addition to the targeted hazards, inspectors will also ensure that joint health and safety committees or health and safety representatives are in place where appropriate and functioning as required. Inspectors will take action if they find contraventions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations, including issuing orders and/or laying charges under the Act.
“Musculoskeletal disorders account for almost half of all injuries in which workers need to take time off work in Ontario – resulting in substantial costs to the medical and workers’ compensation system. Ontario and its workplace partners are committed to eliminating all workplace injuries, including those involving MSDs.”
- Peter Fonseca, Minister of Labour
According to the MOL Backgrounder, inspectors will be paying particular attention to tasks requiring the use of force to lift, push or carry items. These tasks will be identified through an analysis of workplaces with high frequencies of MSD injuries and hazards.
Within the industrial sector, inspectors will focus on retail food sales establishments (i.e. grocery stores) and particularly on tasks involving the handling of products. These include: receiving of products; storage of products on racks; access to products in walk-in refrigerators/freezers; and movement of products throughout the establishment. Inspectors will check written policies and procedures, training and supervision involving these tasks. They will also check cashiers’ work stations.
How
IAPA Can Help
IAPA offers a variety of information, products and services related to the MOL’s current and past inspection blitzes.
Free Downloads
Visit our Free Downloads section for a comprehensive selection of forms, publications, tools and other resources including the following:
-
Ergonomic Assessments including “Discomfort Survey”, “Ergonomic Hazards Checklist”, “Ergonomic Risk Assessment “ and “Tool Selection Checklist”
-
Hazard Tip Sheets including “Forcing the Issue: What’s So Hazardous About Overexertion?”
-
Information Services
Contact the
IAPA Information Centre for your free information package containing MOL court bulletins, journal articles and other relevant documents.
-
Subscribe to
Accident Prevention eNews for workplace health and safety news, prosecutions, alerts and updates on information, products and services available from IAPA.
Training
IAPA provides a comprehensive portfolio of health and safety training solutions including:
Building an MSD Prevention Program
These four half-day modules coach participants through the process of identifying, assessing and controlling MSD hazards using best-practice assessment tools and approaches to remedy specific workplace issues. Training will result in creation of draft standards and a framework to ensure successful implementation and maintenance of an MSD prevention program.
Manual Materials Handling
This session is designed to teach workers how to properly lift, carry, push, pull and handle materials while minimizing the risk of injury. Photographs and practical examples of your workstation are used to teach the principles of proper manual materials handling (MMH). During this practical session, barriers to using proper MMH techniques may be identified and summarized for management.
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): Awareness
MSDs are a potential risk for all sectors and occupations. They can cause discomfort, fatigue, pain, injury, and illness to workers. In fact, work-related musculoskeletal injuries are the most frequent type of lost-time injury and are the largest source of lost-time worker compensation costs in Canada. This e-course is offered FREE of charge to promote awareness of this important issue.
Nuts and Bolts of Implementing an MSD Prevention Program
This course is comprised of two modules: “Module A – Implementing an MSD Prevention Program” and “Module B – Assessing and Controlling MSD Hazards”. In module A, participants learn how to navigate through the new MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario, find gaps in their own MSD prevention efforts, and determine key steps to implement a successful MSD prevention program. In module B, participants discover how to measure and assess the MSD hazards posed by tasks involving lifting/lowering, pushing/pulling, awkward postures and repetition. They also explore problem-solving techniques for developing practical short-term and long-term solutions including strategies to help avoid common pitfalls.
Conferences
IAPA’s national and regional health and safety conferences offer sessions on MOL blitz and other key health and safety topics: View our full line-up of events including the following sessions.
Consulting Services
IAPA consultants work together with clients to identify and assess health and safety needs based on the client’s readiness and capacity. As part of their work, consultants assist with the development of a health and safety program; provide health and safety information and training; and identify and facilitate practical solutions. Visit our Consulting section or contact an IAPA consultant or ergonomics specialist by calling 1.800.406.IAPA (4272) for more information on the following and additional services to meet your needs.
Physical Demands Analysis (PDAs)
PDAs outline the physical requirements of a job; for example, how much lifting, carrying, reaching, etc. is required. They are often used to convey accurate information to doctors and to facilitate the early and safe return to work of injured workers. During this hands-on session, participants complete a minimum of one customized PDA. Customized variations of this session may include applying the information to accommodate an injured worker, and evaluating the information for possible risk factors related to poor ergonomics.
Practical Office Ergonomics
This on-site workshop combines classroom training with practical, hands-on assessment. Participants learn the principles of proper office ergonomics, then apply those principles to assess various co-workers’ workstations. This process allows workers to ensure they are setting up their workstations properly and are using proper work practices to reduce injuries. This program can be supplemented by having the facilitator assess additional office workstations.
Products
Back Safety 101 Self-Study Training Kit
This two-part kit, consisting of a 16 minute DVD video and a facilitator’s guide, focuses on the risk factors that may lead to MSDs and offers solutions to help workplaces prevent these costly and painful problems. While the kit’s prime focus is the back, it can be easily applied to prevent MSDs involving other body parts, such as the neck, shoulders, wrists and legs.
Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Prevention Series
This series contains a guideline, resource manual, and toolbox. They were developed in partnership by members of OHSCO which is comprised of the Ministry of Labour (MOL), the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB), the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) and health and safety associations (HSAs) including IAPA. The Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) also assisted in its development.