What's new?

 

We are working to continuously develop the Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Prevention Guideline. Watch for new content, including more resources and case studies. We depend on companies and practitioners to share case studies of MSD prevention interventions. Please contact us if you have a case study that would be helpful to share with others to prevent MSD!

 

Past and upcoming events and resources

 

Date

News

April 13, 2023

New Resource:

Animated video on Manual Materials Handling Solutions to Control MSD Hazards in Manufacturing & Warehousing

 

Manual materials handling tasks are a major cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in industrial workplaces. In response to this issue, the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) is conducting a year-long, workplace compliance initiative on material handling in industrial workplaces. 

webinar, jointly provided by MLITSD and Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS), includes more information about the initiative.

 

 

March 8, 2023

CRE-MSD Webinar:

The Space Between Sitting and Standing: Hybrid Seating - Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?

Presenter: Dr. Jack Callaghan

 

Webinar recording (YouTube)

Webinar slide presentation (PDF)

 

 

February 22, 2023

CRE-MSD Webinar:

MSD Prevention and Ultrawide Computer Displays for Office Work
Presenter: Dr. Kaitlin Gallagher

 

Webinar recording (Webex) - Password: Office2023

Webinar slide presentation (PDF)

 

 

January 26, 2023

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Day: Free Webinar Series

OHCOW is pleased to announce that its free annual international event continues into its 24th year to increase awareness and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. Due to overwhelming response, this year’s event will be held virtually only and has been extended from a one-day event to a Weekly Webinar Series for the entire month of February.

 

Session dates and topics include:
• Week 1: February 7, 2023 – Shoulder Injuries and Workplace Concussions
• Week 2: February 14, 2023 – Implications of Office Indoor Environment Quality and Ergonomics & Sleep
• Week 3: February 21, 2023 – Women’s PPE Experience and Updating PDDs for 2023
• Week 4: February 28, 2023 – Job Demands: Physical and Cognitive

 

International RSI Awareness Day is February 28, 2023. Learn more by visiting the following pages:

RSI Awareness Day (IWO)

International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day (CCOHS)

RSI Day (WHSC)

 

 

January 24, 2023

CRE-MSD Webinar:

Hybrid Work Arrangements and Ergonomics: Using Mobile Computing Devices at Multiple Locations
Presenter: Kim Meszaros, CCPE

 

Webinar recording (Webex) - Password: Office2023

Webinar slide presentation (PDF)

 

 

December 5, 2022

New Resource:

MSD Prevention Program Checklist (PDF)

 

Getting ready to implement MSD prevention into your organization's Health and Safety program? Preparing for an audit of the program? This checklist can be used in the initial design and review to check program alignment with key areas of the MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario.

 

 

November 29, 2022

New Resource:

Health and Safety Program: How to Include MSD Prevention poster (PDF)

 

Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) hazards in the workplace must be treated the same as any other workplace hazard. This means MSD hazards need to be identified, assessed and eliminated or controlled. Learn how to integrate the 10 steps for MSD prevention into a Health and Safety program through our new poster resource.

 

 

November 25, 2022

CRE-MSD Webinar:

Mental and Physical Health of Remote Workers: Recommendations for Post-COVID-19 Office Work
Presenters: Dr. Philip Bigelow & Kim Meszaros, CCPE

 

Webinar recording (Webex) - Password: Office2022

Webinar slide presentation (PDF)

 

 

November 17, 2022

CRE-MSD Exoskeleton Conference Resources Available:

Slide presentations are available on the Conference Event Page

Recorded videos of the conference introduction and keynote speaker are now available on the CRE-MSD YouTube channel!

 

Coming soon: Resource paper on key take aways from the conference to assist workplaces in the decision-making process when considering the application of exoskeletons.

 

 

October 18, 2022

Free Samples of Printed MSD Prevention Resources!

 

For Global Ergonomics Month, we are offering free samples of printed MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario resources to organizations, while quantities last! These packages and poster resources were designed to increase awareness of MSD hazards and provide organizations with guidance on integrating MSD prevention into the workplace.

 

Please fill out the form before the end of the month to submit your request for printed resources.

 

 

October 18, 2022

New Resource:

Manual Materials Handling Solutions to Control MSD Hazards in Manufacturing & Warehousing poster (PDF)

 

Manual materials handling tasks are a major cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). In response to this issue, the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) is conducting a year-long, workplace compliance initiative on ergonomics in warehousing

A webinar, jointly provided by MLITSD and Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS), includes more information about the initiative.

 

October 17, 2022

Feedback Survey on CSA Z1004:12 Workplace Ergonomics

 

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Technical Committee (TC) on General Workplace Ergonomics is currently reviewing the CSA Standard, CSA Z1004:12 Workplace Ergonomics; A management and implementation standard. The TC would like to receive feedback from possible or confirmed users of the Standard, to help inform the next steps of reviewing this Standard.  We are asking for your feedback in the form of a survey at this link: Survey for CSA Z1004 Workplace Ergonomics. The survey can take from 2 to 15 minutes, depending on your responses, and will close on November 7, 2022. Thank you in advance for your time and input.

 

For additional information or any concerns related to CSA Z1004, please feel free to contact Andrea Holbeche, Project Manager, Worker and Public Safety, CSA Group (andrea.holbeche@csagroup.org).

 

Take the survey

 

 

October 14, 2022

Association of Canadian Ergonomists (ACE) Annual Conference

 

ACE is hosting the 2022 Virtual Symposium “Explore the World of Ergonomics”

October 17-19

Learn more and register here: ACE 2022 (Virtual)

 

 

October 3, 2022

October is Global Ergonomics Month! 

 

CRE-MSD kicked off Global Ergonomics Month with their annual conference on Manual Handling: Where Exoskeletons Fit Within Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Prevention Strategies. Thank you to our speakers listed below for sharing their research, experiences, and professional opinions to inform us on the current state and key reflections, which contributed to an enlightening conference.
 
Dr. Maury Nussbaum, Virginia Tech
Dr. Donald Peterson, Northern Illinois University
Dr. Clark Dickerson, University of Waterloo
Seth Burt, CCPE, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada
Marty Smets, Ford Motor Company
David Brodie, Cargill
Michael Hutchinson, Boeing
 
Key take aways and questions from the conference will be addressed in a resource paper to assist workplaces in the decision-making process when considering the application of exoskeletons. Do you have questions about the use of exoskeletons as an MSD prevention strategy in the workplace? Please submit your questions using the questions form by October 18, 2022.

 

 

September 7, 2022

Deadline extended: 

CASE STUDY CONTEST on Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Prevention/Ergonomics Interventions extended for submissions!

Are you completing a project or initiative involving an Ergonomics/Human Factors intervention to prevent MSD in the workplace? Enter the contest for a chance to win $100 VISA gift card! Find out more about the contest and how to enter on the Case Studies and Stories page.

 

Extended submission deadline: December 23, 2022

 

 

August 9, 2022

CRE-MSD Webinar:

Exploring the Efficacy of Portable Lift-Assist Devices to Reduce Exposures Compared to a Manual Lift

Presenters: Amanda Calford, Dr. Taylor Cleworth, Dr. Andrew Laing & Dr. Steven Fischer

 

Webinar recording (Webex) - Password: Lifting2022

 

 

July 28, 2022

Save the Date: CRE-MSD Annual Conference on October 3, 2022

Manual Handling: Where Exoskeletons Fit Within Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Prevention Strategies

October 3, 2022 | 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM EDT

Mississauga, ON

 

Manual handling of materials and patients remains a leading cause of work-related MSD in Ontario. The use of exoskeletons as personal protective equipment is a technology advancement that is being considered across multiple industries. With many designs and brands available, exoskeletons have been marketed as a simple and effective solution to prevent MSD in the workplace. Putting the sales and marketing aside, practitioners and companies need to be aware of their strengths and limitations to determine appropriate applications and where exoskeletons fit within the hierarchy of controls.

 

This conference will explore the current research evaluating their use along with their potential role in the prevention of MSD. Exoskeletons, whether active or passive, have been claimed to enhance physical performance while providing a practical ergonomic strategy for the prevention of MSD. This conference will profile the scientific evaluations, industrial implementation and discuss the processes involved in deciding to implement exoskeletons, potential benefits, limitations, and impact of their adoption.

 

Watch the CRE-MSD events page for more details and registration coming soon!

 

 

July 19, 2022

CRE-MSD Webinar:

Recipe for Prevention of MSD: Learnings from Biomechanical Responses in Team Lifting and Sudden Load Drops

Presenter: Dr. Peter Keir

 

Webinar recording (Webex) - Password: Lifting2022

Webinar slide presentation (PDF)

 

 

 July 13, 2022

CRE-MSD Webinar:

Predicting Biomechanical Load, Musculoskeletal Disorder Risk, and Quality of Care in Nursing During COVID and Non-COVID Scenarios Using Discrete Event Simulation

Presenters: Dr. Sadeem M. Qureshi & Dr. W. Patrick Neumann

 

Webinar recording (Webex) - Password: Nursing2022

Webinar slide presentation (PDF)

 

 

June 22, 2022

CRE-MSD Webinar:

Identifying Critical Physical Demanding Tasks of Personal Support Workers and the Implications for Ergonomic Interventions

Presenters: Daphne Ho & Dr. Steven Fischer

 

Webinar recording (Webex) - Password: Work2022

Webinar slide presentation (PDF)

 

 

June 10, 2022

Announcement:

We are conducting a User Experience (UX) Evaluation on the MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario. Share your experience with the webiste to help guide future development! Whether you are a frequent user or new visitor to the website, we are interested in learning about your interaction and experience with using the website.

 

We are looking for feedback from volunteers in the following roles:
• Manager
• Small Business Owner/Manager
• Joint Health & Safety Committee member (Worker/Supervisor representatives)
• Health & Safety Professional
• Ergonomist
• Healthcare Specialist (Physicians, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Kinesiologists, etc.)
• Engineer/Designer

Please contact us to learn more and set up a time to have your say!

 

 

May 30, 2022

Announcement:

CASE STUDY CONTEST on Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Prevention/ Ergonomics Interventions launched today!

Contest organized by CRE-MSD in partnership with ACE and CCCPE

Find out more about the contest, benefits of participation and how to enter on the Case Studies and Stories page.

 

 

May 25, 2022

New Resources:

Driving Ergonomics (PDF)

In-Vehicle Workstations (PDF)

 

Do you spend time commuting or working on mobile devices in your vehicle? Find out how to set up your vehicle to control MSD hazards with these new resources in the Resource Library, under the Hazard Control category/filter.

 

 

May 20, 2022

New Resources:

Standing Workstation Height for Manual Tasks (PDF)

Job Rotation (PDF)

 

Learn how to control MSD hazards through height adjustability and reduce exposure to MSD risks using job rotation as an administrative control. These new resources can be found in the Resource Library, under the Hazard Control category/filter.

 

 

May 6, 2022

The Tool Picker has been updated to include the following risk assessment methods. These Comprehensive Analysis tools require specialized knowledge and experience to use and interpret the outputs and should only be used by ergonomists or others with the specialized knowledge and experience.
ACGIH TLV: Upper Limb Localized Fatigue
Lifting Fatigue Failure Tool (LiFFT)
Distal Upper Extremity Tool (DUET)
Cumulative Exposure Shoulder Risk Assessment Tool (The Shoulder Tool)
Liberty Mutual Manual Materials Handling (LM-MMH) Equations
Maximum acceptable manual arm forces for above-shoulder work

 

 

April 26, 2022

MLTSD launched the Ergonomics in Warehouse Compliance Initiative on April 1, 2022. As part of this initiative, MLTSD Ergonomists will be conducting inspections in warehouses, as well as workplaces that have a warehousing area.

 

Have you included musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) prevention and ergonomics into your Health and Safety program?

Learn how to develop your Health and Safety program to Prevent MSD using step-by-step guidance and resources.

 

 

April 19, 2022

Deadline extended: CRE-MSD Survey on Working from Home and Transitioning Back to the Office is open until May 20!

Take the survey to share your experience with remote work during the pandemic and enter for a chance to win 1 of 4 $200 VISA gift cards!

 

 

March 28, 2022

New resource released on working remotely using technology (or "telework")!

Healthy and Safe Telework: Technical Brief was developed by the World Health Organization and International Labour Organization.

 

 

March 23, 2022

CRE-MSD Webinar:

Office Work: Input Devices Matter in Preventing MSD

Presenter: Dr. Jack Dennerlein

 

Webinar recording (Webex) - Password: Work2022

Webinar slide presentation (PDF)

 

 

March 10, 2022

CRE-MSD survey released on Working from Home during COVID-19 and Transitioning Back to the Office.

Find out more and complete the survey for a chance to win 1 of 4 $200 VISA gift cards!

 

 

January 26, 2022

Free Webinar Series:

OHCOW is hosting a Weekly Webinar Series in February for Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Day.

Session dates and topics include:
• Week 1: February 10, 2022 – Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Week 2: February 17, 2022 – Integrating Components for a Return-to-Work (RTW) Program
• Week 3: February 24, 2022 – Ergonomics for Specific Occupations
• Week 4: February 28, 2022 – Ergonomic Prevention Tools

 

International RSI Awareness Day is February 28, 2022. Learn more by visiting the following pages:

- RSI Awareness Day (IWO)

- International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day (CCOHS)

- Repetitve Strain Injury (RSI) Day (OHCOW)

- RSI Day (WHSC)

 

 

March 30, 2021

New Resources:

Overhead work infographic (PDF)

Overhead work animation (VIDEO)

 

Overhead work is a known musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk, strongly related to the development of shoulder injuries. Find out how to reduce risks with these new resources in the Resource Library, under the Hazard Control category/filter.

 

 

November 24, 2020

New Resource:

A new Sit-Stand Workstations Poster has been added to the Quick Start Guideline: Office. It's also available in the Resource Library

 

 

October 26, 2020

New Resources:

Positioning the Body to Reduce MSD Injury Risk: Focus on the Knee (PDF)

Positioning the Body to Reduce MSD Injury Risk: Focus on the Low Back (PDF)

Positioning the Body to Reduce MSD Injury Risk: Focus on the Shoulder (PDF)

 

These three resources were developed to complement the CRE-MSD webinar series Training for Non-Modifiable and Physically Demanding Manual Materials Handling Tasks: Strategies for First Responders and Healthcare Workers. They can be found in the Resource Library, under the Hazard Control category/filter.

 

 

July 3, 2019

Registration is now open for CRE-MSD's Fall 2019 conference Using Ontario's New MSD Prevention Guideline to Empower Workplaces: A Year in Review, which will be held on October 1, 2019. CRE-MSD is pleased to offer this as a FREE event. Space is limited, so be sure to register now to save your seat! 

 

 

July 2, 2019

Deadline extended: The draft Office Quick Start Guide will remain open for public review until July 8, 2019.

 

 

June 18, 2019

The draft Office Quick Start Guide will be open for public review until July 2, 2019. We would greatly appreciate any feedback and/or comments. The documents and feedback form can be accessed through the CRE-MSD website. 

 

 

February 28, 2019

 

Lecture introducing the new MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario presented by Dr. Amin Yazdani at the 2019 RSI Day+ 20th Anniversary in Sudbury, Ontario.

 

 

February 27, 2019

Download our slides to include in your presentations with details about the New MSD Prevention Guideline (PPTX)

 

 

January 1, 2019

Watch our Introduction Video for the new MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario website!

 

 

December 4, 2018

Free webinar to learn all about the Basic and Comprehensive Guidelines, designed to improve organizational and problem-solving approaches to MSD prevention in medium and large businesses.

Archived recording of webinar (Adobe Connect)

Slide summary of webinar (PDF)

 

 

November 6, 2018

Free webinar to learn all about the Quick Start Guideline, designed to meet the needs of small and micro businesses toward MSD prevention.

Archived recording of webinar (Adobe Connect)

Slide summary of webinar (PDF)

 

 

October 31, 2018

Free webinar to learn all about the new MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario, including an overview of the Quick Start Guide, Basic Guideline and Comprehensive Guideline.

Archived recording of webinar (Adobe Connect)

Slide summary of webinar (PDF)

 

 

October 18, 2018

Workshop entitled "Development of a new MSD Prevention Guide for Ontario" facilitated by Dr. Amin Yazdani at ACE-CROSH 2018 in Sudbury, Ontario.

 

October 1, 2018

Beta version of the new MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario goes live at Conference in Toronto as Global Ergonomics Month starts.

 

 

 

                    

 

 

MSD prevention site factsheet

What's New? 

 

We are working to continuously develop the MSD Prevention Guideline. Watch for new content, including more resources and case studies.

 

 

MSD prevention site factsheet

Factsheet 

 

Download the factsheet introducing the MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario website.

 

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Case Studies 

 

Read success stories and case studies about preventing MSD. These stories may apply to your workplace and help you make the right decision.

 

 

Question mark

FAQ 

 

Frequently asked questions. There are lots of myths about preventing MSD at work. With good information and actions, MSD can be prevented.

 

 

 

WSIB's Health and Safety Excellence Program

 

Why join?

 

Keeping your team safe and healthy at work is good for business. WSIB's Health and Safety Excellence program provides a clear roadmap to improve safety in your workplace, whether you're just getting started or want to improve systems and processes you already have in place.

 

No matter how large or small your business is, the Health and Safety Excellence program can help. Connect with a WSIB-approved provider who can help you address your business’s unique health and safety challenges – and you can earn rebates for the work you do to improve your workplace health and safety. 

 

Check out the Health and Safety Excellence Program website for more information on the program and the benefits.

 

 

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DISCLAIMER: CRE-MSD receives funding through a grant provided by the Ontario Ministry of Labour. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Province.


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