WSPS.CA | 2023 HEALTH & SAFETY LEADERSHIP SURVEY WHITE PAPER 25
5. MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS (MSDS)
In addition to controlling employee injuries and the direct and indirect
costs associated with them, preventing MSDs has a positive impact on
productivity, quality and the employee experience. However, prevention
can be challenging. The article "What are the challenges & facilitators of
successful implementation to prevent MSDs in the workplace" published by
WSPS in 2019, listed a dozen barriers to success for all types of organizations.
Changing work environments was number eight on the list.
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Of course, at
that point in time, no one could have foreseen just how radically our work
environments would shift.
Now, with so many employees working remotely, the challenge is that much
greater. When working from home was seen as a temporary response to the
pandemic, many employees made do with what they had – working from
kitchen tables, couches, coffee tables, etc. Some may be feeling the negative
affects of this going much longer than anticipated. Now, as it appears
working from home fully or part-time will continue, more employees and
employers are likely thinking about the need to assess and set workers up
properly to control this hazard and prevent MSDs.
WSPS Ergonomics Specialist
Don Patten says, "Most
companies want to prevent MSDs,
but they don't know how to go
about it or think it's too costly
and difficult." He recommends
that employers take advantage of
the MSD Prevention Guideline for
Ontario. The Guideline website is
divided into three sections based
on company size and features
easy-to-follow drop down menus
to lead users through each step.
"There's information on what
MSDs are, what "MSD prevention"
means, legal responsibilities,
what to do if an MSD occurs,
incident investigations, and return
to work."
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