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
Video
Participatory approach to health and safety in long-term care
Involve front-line staff when identifying and controlling hazards at long-term care homes. Those who do a job every day know the associated hazards best. A participatory approach can help prevent injuries.
Published: October 2, 2019
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
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
Journal article
Effectiveness of workplace interventions in the prevention of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and symptoms: an update of the evidence
Published: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, January 2016
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
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
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
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
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
At Work article
Mark your calendars for PREMUS 2016
World scientific conference on MSD prevention takes place June 20-23, 2016.
Published: April 2015
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