MSD prevention
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) refer to injuries of the muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues, including back, neck, shoulder and wrist pain. They are also known as repetitive strain injuries and cumulative trauma disorders. IWH conducts a wide range of research on MSDs—exploring how often they occur, what work-related factors contribute to them, their treatment and functional assessment, and the system- and workplace-level prevention and return-to-work programs that can help prevent and manage them.
Featured
![A New Zealand construction worker holding papers looking off-camera with a city skyline behind](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_6_col_wide/public/iwh/images/Construction_New_Zealand.jpg?h=9f5479df&itok=Sw9c8k-r)
Impact case study
Construction safety org adapts IWH research messages for tradesworker audience
A key program from Construction Health and Safety New Zealand—developed using IWH research—takes a participatory ergonomics approach to better prevent and manage musculoskeletal injuries among construction workers.
Published: February 28, 2024
![A female construction worker stands next to a steel girder](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_6_col_wide/public/iwh/images/construction_woman_steel.jpg?h=45261ab4&itok=k-14bi5K)
Tools and guides
Implementing MSI prevention programs: Advice from workplaces for workplaces
Musculoskeletal injuries are a substantial burden to society and to workplaces worldwide. The known occupational risk factors are many and prevention requires creative solutions. This resource offers MSI prevention programs and practices, drawn from research and practice evidence.
Published: February 10, 2021
Product guide
Product guide
Using IWH research to prevent MSDs
This guide to IWH resources points ergonomists, kinesiologists and other workplace musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) prevention specialists to tools, guides and information products from IWH that can help ensure evidence-based information is incorporated into MSD prevention policies and practices.
Published: February 2017
![Management and workers at K-W Hydro share a chat](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/kwhydro_OSH_manager_partners.jpg?h=f9982f9c&itok=d_9JezVU)
Impact case study
Reduced soft-tissue injuries at Ontario utility attributed to work by ergonomics team set up during IWH study
Ten years after it took part in a participatory ergonomics study, Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro's change team was still going strong.
Published: December 2016
![OHS Insider logo](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/ohs_insider_logo.png?h=84071268&itok=UOzKydxN)
IWH in the media
Making the business case for safety: Case study shows benefits of participatory ergonomics continue for years
Implementing a participatory ergonomics program takes time and money. To get your company’s senior management on board with such a program, show them this case study from the Institute for Work & Health (IWH), which shows how an Ontario utility continued to benefit years after implementing a participatory ergonomics program.
Published: OHS Insider, October 2016
Video
Video
Preventing upper extremity injuries at work
Strong evidence suggests that workplace-based resistance training can help prevent and manage musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the upper extremity, which includes the neck, shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist and hand. That’s one of the key findings coming out of a systematic review conducted by the Institute for Work & Health (IWH).
Published: October 2016
![Close-up of faceless man doing pushups](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/shoulders_pushups_man.jpg?h=22422db1&itok=ukC8MxQt)
Sharing Best Evidence
What workplace programs help prevent upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders?
Upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) include painful conditions and injuries of the muscles, tendons, joints and nerves that affect the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands. This update of a previous systematic review sets out to find occupational health and safety (OHS) interventions that effectively prevent and manage upper extremity MSDs.
Published: October 2016
![Canadian Occupational Safety logo](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/canadian_occupational_safety_logo.png?h=84071268&itok=zebLs2Ra)
IWH in the media
Forceful motion key risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome
Workers who often use their hands in a forceful gripping and pinching motion face a higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful condition that causes tingling, numbness and weakness in the hand and sometimes requires surgery, according to recent research.
Published: Canadian Occupational Safety, October 2016
![A black and white image of a wrist gripping a tool](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/wrist_force_tool_carpal_tunnel_0.jpg?h=033e3d90&itok=lWoevT6T)
At Work article
Forceful repetition a carpal tunnel risk factor
Repetitive hand motion and wrist posture alone aren't risks for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), but forceful hand exertion is.
Published: August 2016
![PREMUS conference delegate stands to ask a question](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/premus_conference_delegates.jpg?h=90dc226d&itok=meaWQrVg)
At Work article
PREMUS 2016 brings together MSD prevention scientists and practitioners to share evidence
For three days, the best and brightest researchers on work-related MSDs gathered and shared their work. Here's a recap of the PREMUS 2016 keynotes.
Published: August 2016
![A black and white view of construction scaffolding on a building](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/construction_scaffolding_black_white_0.jpg?h=b2774bcf&itok=KIHK1e8e)
At Work article
Eight safety leading indicators for the construction worksite
What do flex and stretch programs at construction worksites have to do with safety climate and safety culture? A PREMUS keynote speaker thinks she has the answer.
Published: August 2016
![A close-up view of a pair of work boots](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/work_boots_jeans_standing.jpg?h=aa4f39ad&itok=HlC0EJgz)
At Work article
'Too much standing hurts, too'
It might be a common perception that prolonged sitting is linked to increased pain or injury, but the evidence indicates that too much standing is also a risk factor, says PREMUS keynote speaker Dr. Jack Callaghan.
Published: August 2016