According to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), MSDs represent over 40% of all lost-time compensation claims in Ontario. The combined direct and indirect costs are conservatively estimated to be $19 billion from 1996-2006.

Left unaddressed, MSDs threaten both worker health and safety and the province's economic performance. Preventing MSDs can help workplaces to reduce costs, boost productivity, improve product and service quality and stimulate innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions

For answers to the most frequently asked questions about musculoskeletal disorders, visit the MSD FAQs page.

• What are musculoskeletal disorders?
• Why are MSDs a problem?
• What risk factors contribute to MSDs?
• How can MSDs be controlled?
• What are some construction controls?

Training

IHSA continues to develop new services to meet members' ergonomic needs. The following is a list of the latest ergonomic and MSD programs IHSA has to offer.

• Ergonomic Change Team
• Ergonomics for Computer Users – Practical Guidelines and Tips
• Ergonomics for Skilled Trades – Practical Guidelines and Tips
• Ergonomics for Transportation – How to Prevent Strains, Sprains, and Overexertion
• Ergonomics: Implementing into the Workplace
• Ergonomics: Manual Material Handling Workshop
• COVID-19 - The Effects on Our Mental Health (Webinar)
• COVID-19 - Working From Home - The Effects On Our Musculoskeletal Health (Webinar)
• When Our Work Requires Us To Sit - The Effects On Our Cardiovascular Health (Webinar)
• Psychologically Safe Leadership in the New Normal Workplace (Webinar)

MSD Policies

Click here to download an example of an MSD Prevention Policies and Program.

MSD Poster: Prevent Workplace Pains and Strains

The Prevent Workplace Pains and Strains poster can be downloaded and posted at your workplace to encourage workers to prevent pains and strains. Also available in French.

Federal MSD Resources

• Guide on the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries
• Checklist for the Evaluation of an Ergonomics-Related Hazard Prevention Program
• General Guide for Identifying Ergonomics-Related Hazards
• Guide for Investigating Musculoskeletal Injuries
• Employee Input on Potential Ergonomics-Related Hazards
• Guide to Employee Education on Musculoskeletal Injuries
• Guide to Address Ergonomics-Related Hazards with Computer Work Station

Products

• Propane Safety for Low-Slope Roofers (BR002)
• Before You Start Work Exercises Card (V012)
• Construction Health and Safety Manual (M029)
• Health and Safety Aggregate Sector (IHSA005)
• Low-Slope Roofing Health and Safety Manual (M070)
• MSD Hazards and Controls for Low-Slope Roofers Brochure (IHSA024)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Homebuilding - Concrete Floors and Drains (W303)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Homebuilding - Drywall (W302)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Homebuilding - Flooring (W305)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Homebuilding - Framing (W306)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Homebuilding - Plumbing (W308)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Homebuilding - Sloped Roofing (W309)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Homebuilding - General Labourers (W307)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Homebuilding - Carpentry Finishing (W304)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Boilermakers (W313)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Carpenters (W316)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Civil Construction (W317)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Demolition (W319)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: High-rise Forming (W321)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Masonry (W301)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Millwrights (W312)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (W315)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Rodworkers (W300)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Roofers (W311)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Sheetmetal (W314)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Tile and Terrazzo (W318)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: ICI Pipe Trades (W327)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: ICI Electricians (W328)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: High-rise Forming (W321)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: ICI Drywallers (W322)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: ICI Insulators (W323)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Elevator/Escalator Trade (W331)
• Musculoskeletal Hazards and Controls: Painters and Decorators Trade (W332)
• Roofers Safety Pamphlet (IHSA010)
• Work Smarter–Not Harder Poster: Prevent MSDs in the Masonry Trade (W310)
• Work Smarter—Not Harder Poster: Prevent MSDs in the Terrazzo and Tile Trade (W320)

Safety Talks

• Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) – Risk factors
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) – Controls
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) – Welding
• Back care – Basic lifting
• Back care – Lifting sheet materials 1
• Back care – Lifting sheet materials 2
• Stretching exercises
• Whole-body vibration
• Spring Start-up

Health and Safety Manual

• Back Care
• Back Care and Materials Handling

Articles

• Poster: How would an MSD affect your life?
• MOL to focus on MSDs in the new year
• The top hazards
• Musculoskeletal disorders – transportation
• Lift smartly and save your back

Research

• Evaluation of Masonry Trowel Sizes on Hand Injuries
• Poster - Rebar Tying Machines Reduce MSDs
• Reducing Risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Promoting Return-to-Work Through the use of Rebar Tying Machines
• Spreading good ideas: A case study of the adoption of an innovation in the construction sector

MSD Resources

For more information on how you can reduce MSDs at your place of business, click the links below.

• Musculoskeletal hazards are a risk like any other
• Lift smartly and save your back

Statistics

The reports below contain statistical information about musculoskeletal injuries in Ontario for the years 2009 to 2012. Reports are categorized by construction, electrical and transportation rate groups.

• 134 – Aggregates
• 497 – Ready-Mix Concrete
• 551 – Air Transport Industries
• 553 – Air Transport Services
• 560 – Warehousing
• 570 – General Trucking
• 577 – Courier
• 580 – Miscellaneous Transportation
• 584 – School Buses
• 681 – Lumber/Builders Supply
• 689 – Waste Materials Recycling
• 704 – Electrical and Incidental Construction
• 707 – Mechanical and Sheet Metal
• 711 – Road Building and Excavation
• 719 – Inside Finishing
• 723 – ICI Construction
• 728 – Roofing
• 732 – Heavy Civil Construction
• 737 – Millwrighting and Welding
• 741 – Masonry
• 748 – Formwork and Demolition
• 751 – Siding and Outside Finishing
• 755 – Non-exempt Partners and Executive Officers in Construction
• 764 – Homebuilding
• 830 – Power and Telecommunication Lines
• 833 – Electric Power Generation
• 835 – Oil, Power and Water Distribution
• 838 – Natural Gas Distribution

Ergonomics Links

Click here for a list of web-based information on a variety of ergonomic topics, containing research and general information.