group of office workers sitting at their computers

I perform work

As a worker, you know more about how your job is done and how it makes you feel than anyone else. Speak up and tell your supervisors about jobs or tasks that overload your body.

What does "Work Shouldn't Hurt" really mean?

Many jobs require physical effort. Sometimes these physical efforts may cause some discomfort, muscle soreness, or muscle tiredness, just like going to the gym or other physical activity. Typically, this occurs when starting a new job, a new task, or with a sudden increase in workload. This does not mean that you are hurt. Just like other physical activity, the feelings of discomfort should go away within a day or two as your body adapts.

woman on construction site holding her back to show it is in pain

“Hurt” refers to injury or musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) associated with work. Red flags that separate “hurt” from the normal discomfort and muscle tiredness that we feel when doing physical labour are:

Pain that persists longer than three days
The need to regularly take over-the-counter medications (e.g. Advil, Tylenol, or Aspirin), use other drugs, or prescription pain killers (e.g. opioids) to continue working.
Not being able to perform work tasks or leisure activities outside of work.
Sharp pain
Pain that wakes you up during the night
Inability to use the part of the body that hurts

It’s important to talk to your supervisor, manager, or business owner about your pain at work and possible causes.

Work Shouldn’t Hurt applies primarily to preventing injuries before they occur. Previous injuries can alter individual’s relationship with pain and may require additional support from qualified professionals, especially during the return-to-work process.

MSD Hazards in the Workplace

Well designed work considers how job demands might impact workers’ health and safety. Safe and healthy work allows workers to interact with their work environment without harm.

There is strong evidence that physical factors in the workplace greatly increase a person’s chance of developing an MSD and make worse an existing MSD on return to work. Awareness of common MSD hazards can help workers identify workplace factors that can contribute to MSD and notify their supervisor or manager. When initial signs of discomfort or pain go unaddressed, this can lead to the development of MSD and may impact the ability to perform and enjoy tasks or leisure activities outside of work.

Fortunately, most workplace hazards that give rise to MSDs can be identified and eliminated with an effective MSD prevention program in place.

Learn more about MSD hazards

Rights and Responsibilities

In Ontario, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) gives workers the right to:

Know information and knowledge of hazards,
Participate, and
Refuse unsafe work that they believe is dangerous to either their own health and safety or that of another worker.

In Ontario, “Worker responsibilities include:

reporting hazards in the workplace,
working safely and following safe work practices,
using the required personal protective equipment for the job at hand, and
participating in health and safety programs established for the workplace.”

Learn more about the Internal Responsibility System

Relevant Guideline Information

The Quick Start Guide posters describe common MSD hazards foudn in the workplace. There are two different versions; General and Office. The General Guideline is intended for any type of workplace, and the Office Guideline is intended for computer-based work.