Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) hazards from Manual Material Handling (including when consolidating
trailers) has been identified as the top health and safety risk and opportunity for Ontario's food and
beverage wholesale distribution sector following a comprehensive risk assessment that engaged
stakeholders at all levels of the industry.
MSDs are injuries of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs with
symptoms including pain, tingling, and numbness. MSDs can be caused by a specific incident such
as lifting something too heavy; however, more often they occur slowly as workers are exposed to
hazards repeatedly over time.
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) and the Food and Beverage Wholesale Distribution
Sector are working together to develop solutions that address the top ten primary causal factors MSDs
from Manual Material Handling (including when consolidating trailers) in this sector. This document
provides some clarity on current resources and workplace best practices.
Top 10 Primary Causal Factors
1. Lack of leadership commitment
2. Inadequate training
3. Inadequate supervision
4. Load being handled (dimensions)
5. Improper postures
6. Inadequate workplace design
7. Lack of management of change program
8. Lack of/improper use of Hazard Identification and
Risk Assessment (HIRA)
9. Inadequate equipment selection
10. Inadequate reporting
Recommendations put forward by the working group to address MSDs in the food and beverage
wholesale distribution industry were collated in five categories. For each category, we have provided
links to associated WSPS solutions, many of which are free! You can also visit our Resource Hub and
connect with a consultant if you have additional questions.
Food and Beverage Wholesale Distribution Root
Cause Analysis Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
Manual Material Handling
1
310-BRF-01-IGKI © 2024, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | WSPS.CA
WSPS.CA
