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
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
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
Toronto skyline, seen from the harbour
At Work article

PREMUS 2016 keynote speakers tackle leading-edge issues in MSD prevention

The speakers will address the risks of prolonged sitting or standing, the application of a gender lens, the role of safety climate and the risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Published: February 2016
A black and white image of men and women lifting weights
At Work article

Understanding MSDs with sex/gender lens

Women who do the same tasks as men often face a higher risk of MSDs in their neck and upper limbs, and this higher risk may be due to differences both in biology (sex) and social roles, activities and behaviours (gender).
Published: February 2016
Journal article
Project
Project

Evaluating the implementation of a participatory organizational change intervention in long-term care

The Public Services Health & Safety Association’s EPIC (Employees Participating in Change) program aims to reduce musculoskeletal disorders and slip, trip and fall injuries in the long-term care sector. IWH is evaluating the implementation and effects of this organizational-level participatory ergonomics program.
Status: Completed 2019
Canadian Safety Reporter logo
IWH in the media

On-the-job resistance training helps prevent musculoskeletal disorder: Review

Implementing workplace-based resistance training can help prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the upper extremity, according to a review by the Institute for Work and Health (IWH).
Published: Canadian Safety Reporter, November 2015
Canadian Chiropractor logo
IWH in the media

Workplace resistance training program helps reduce musculoskeletal disorders: study

Strong evidence suggests that implementing workplace-based resistance training can help prevent and manage musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the upper extremity. That's one of the key findings coming out of a systematic review conducted by IWH and published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Published: Canada Chiropractor, November 2015
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety logo
IWH in the media

Exercise to ease MSD pain

You’ve been proactive, taking steps to manage job stress, and making ergonomic adjustments and enhancements to your work area to protect against musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), but these steps alone may not be enough. A new study recommends that exercising on the job could be your best defence against upper body MSDs.
Published: Health and Safety Report, November 2015
Downtown Toronto street scene
At Work article

Mark your calendars for PREMUS 2016

World scientific conference on MSD prevention takes place June 20-23, 2016.
Published: April 2015
A woman at her desk takes notes at computer terminal
At Work article

Online office ergonomics training program now available from IWH

IWH’s eOfficeErgo: Ergonomics e-Learning for Office Workers is an evidence-based training program that leads to healthy computing practices and postures among office workers.
Published: April 2015
A group of customer service workers sit in front of their computers in an open office complex
Tools and guides

eOfficeErgo: Ergonomics e-learning for office workers

eOfficeErgo is an evidence-based and standard-compliant online training program designed for employees who regularly use computers on the job and would benefit from self-directed online training on the proper way to set up and work at office workstations in order to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and other injuries. 
Published: January 2015