MSD Prevention

The Ministry of Labour (MOL) continues to emphasize the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). More employers are being targeted to ensure ergonomic issues are being addressed under the general duty requirement in Section 25 (2)(h) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

Orders issued by MOL inspectors and MOL ergonomists may include adapting workstations, training workers on proper body mechanics and/or lifting techniques, ergonomic assessments and other preventative measures. These orders are in addition to Regulation requirements with respect to manual materials handling and lifting.

MSDs are injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, which includes joints, ligaments, muscles, bursa, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, and tendon sheaths.

Known workplace MSD hazards include:

• force - prolonged or forceful exertion
  
• fixed or awkward posture
  
• repetition - lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling
  
• contact stress
  
• local or whole body vibration
  
• temperature
  
• work organization, and
  
• work methods.
  

What is a Hazard?
A hazard is a condition posed by some material or situation that has potential to cause harm.

What is a Risk?
Risk is the probability, or chance, that the hazard will actually harm someone. Assessing risks includes a consideration of the seriousness of the hazard in addition to probability.

The OHSA requires employers to:
ensure workers are made aware of the hazards associated with their jobs and workplaces,
implement controls to reduce the risk of injury from these hazards, and
take every reasonable precaution in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.

It is expected that exposure to MSDs in the workplace will be properly addressed as workplace hazards.

There is a three-step process for dealing with workplace hazards.
1. Hazards must be recognized;
2. Hazards must then be assessed;
3. If necessary, hazards must be controlled.

The Ontario Health and Safety Council of Ontario (OHSCO) recently published the final draft of “Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) Prevention Guideline for Ontario”. The guideline and accompanying Resource Guide are available in the “Spotlight” section on the Pulp and Paper Health and Safety Association website at www.pphsa.on.ca. These documents will be helpful in addressing workplace MSD issues. Topics covered include:

• Why are MSDs a Problem?
  
• Why MSDs occur in the Workplace:
  
• Does Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act Address MSDs?
  
• Is MSD Prevention Good for Ontario’s Businesses/ Employers?
  
• MSD Prevention - a Part of Your Occupational Health and Safety Program
  
• Steps in Implementing the MSD Prevention Framework
  
• Establish a Foundation for Success
  
• Recognize MSD Hazards / Related Concerns
  
• Conduct a MSD Risk Assessment
  
• Choose and Implement MSD Hazard controls
  
• Follow up on and Evaluate the Success of Implemented Controls
  
• Communicate Results and Acknowledge Success

Recognition involves both identifying a hazard and determining if there is a possibility of workers being affected by it. If there is such a possibility, the hazard must be assessed and if it is found to be significant, the hazard must be controlled.