The Ontario government has told its inspectors to beef up their inspections of injury reports and to look for ergonomics issues during their on-site visits. According to Judy Zaczkowski, Envision Compliance Ltd., Concord, Ont., the province "has been looking for some time to put specific ergonomics regulations in place, as opposed to using the general duty clause."
The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires employers to ensure workers are aware of the hazards associated with the workers' job and workplace, and controls are implemented to reduce the risk of injury from these hazards.
Workplace pains and strains are also known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) and Repetitive Motion Injury (RMI). These types of injuries affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves.
MSDs develop as a result of the effects of repetitive, forceful or awkward movements on bones, joints, ligaments and other soft tissues. Workers may experience symptoms such as discomfort, pain, numbness, tingling, weakness and restricted movements.
MSD risk factors in the workplace must be treated the same as any other workplace hazard.
During workplace visits, Ministry of Labour inspectors will be asking questions about the steps your company has taken to prevent workers from developing MSDs.
The Ontario government says MSDs are costly for employers. They are the number one reason for lost-time claims reported to the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB), resulting in huge direct and indirect costs for Ontario employers.
Ontario estimates, from 1996 to 2004, Ontario employers paid more than $12 billion in direct and indirect costs related to MSDs. Examples of indirect costs include overtime, equipment modifications, administration, retraining and lost productivity.
Regardless of whether or not workers have reported MSD symptoms, or whether or not they have filed WSIB claims, MSD prevention needs to be a key part of a workplace health and safety program. MSD risk factors should be handled like any other workplace hazard. Employers should:
- Advise and train workers about the MSD risk factors in their jobs and in the workplace.
- Encourage workers to participate in the health and safety program through early reporting of MSD symptoms or concerns.
- Identify and assess job related MSD risk factors.
- Put in place controls to reduce workers' exposure to MSD risk factors.
- Follow up to make sure preventive measures are working.
To get more information on how to develop and implement an MSD prevention program, contact your health and safety association. A list of Ontario health and safety associations is available at: Ministry of Labour, www.labour.gov.on.ca; WSIB, www.wsib.on.ca; and Prevention Dynamics, www.preventiondynamics.com. Consultants also are available to help organizations get started with an MSD prevention program. A directory of consultants is available on the Association of Canadian Ergonomists website, www.ace-ergocanada.ca. Source: PMA Canada Newsline: June 2006
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