Workers

Musculoskeletal Injuries

A musculoskeletal injury (MSI) is an injury or disorder of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, blood vessels or related soft tissue, including a sprain, strain and inflammation, which may be caused or aggravated by work.

MSIs can occur anywhere in the body; but often involve the back, wrist, elbow or shoulder. They can result from a single traumatic event, such as lifting a heavy load; or they can develop over a period of time as a result of cumulative damage. MSIs can impact almost every aspect of an injured worker’s life, causing a range of issues from discomfort to severe disability.

Almost 70 per cent of lost-time claims at WorkplaceNL relate to soft-tissue injury. As the number one type of lost-time injury in our province, MSIs are costly for employers and account for approximately $85 million in annual claims costs. To prevent MSIs, employers must implement an effective health and safety program to minimize the risk of injury, and workers must follow safe work practices to protect themselves and their co-workers.

New MSI Certification Training Standard

To reduce the risk of workplace MSIs and help workplace parties fulfill their legislated OHS responsibilities, WorkplaceNL has developed a voluntary MSI certification training standard.

Trainers interested in delivering the MSI Prevention certification training must:

  • Meet the minimum criteria outlined in the MSI Prevention Voluntary Certification Training Standard.
  • Complete a WorkplaceNL course content review webinar.
  • Pass the WorkplaceNL trainer assessment.

Applications must include:

  • Completed Trainer Registration Form
  • Current resume, outlining requirements and experience as per the standard
  • Copies of valid certificates as per standard
  • Signed Code of Ethics

If you have any questions, call 709.778.1000, or email ohs.training@workplacenl.ca.

Resources

Ergonomics: Adjusting your chair
Back Protection Poster – Push, Don't PullBack Protection Poster – Design Your WorkstationBack Protection Poster – Ensuring a Safe Efficient WarehouseBack Protection Poster – Fire Tech – Introducing Ladder Testing EquipmentBack Protection Poster – Is There a Tool for That?Back Protection Poster – Promoting Anti-fatigue Mats for Your BackBack Protection Poster – Remember Not to Twist When You LiftBack Protection Poster – Taking Care of Animals and Your BackEmployers Guide – Meeting your Legislative Requirements for MSI PreventionErgonomic Solutions for a Temporary Home OfficeErgonomics Directory of Service ProvidersErgonomics Directory of Service Providers Request FormErgonomics: Adjusting your Chair VideoHealthy Backs for Fishers and ProcessorsImplementing MSI Prevention ProgramsImplementing MSI Prevention Programs – SummaryManual Materials Handling PosterMicrobreaks PosterMicrobreaks PresentationMSDS Musculoskeletal DisordersMSI Hotspots – Cleaners and JanitorsMSI Hotspots – Construction LabourerMSI Hotspots – Office WorkerMSI Hotspots – Personal Care AttendantsMSI Hotspots – Retail Salesperson and ClerksMSI Hotspots – RNs and LPNsMSI Prevention- A Practical Implementation Resource for Newfoundland and LabradorMSI Risk Factor ChecklistMSI Risk Factors – Adverse TemperaturesMSI Risk Factors – Awkward PosturesMSI Risk Factors – Contact StressMSI Risk Factors – Forceful ExertionsMSI Risk Factors – Hand-Arm VibrationMSI Risk Factors – Improper LightingMSI Risk Factors – Repetitive MotionsMSI Risk Factors – Sustained PosturesMSI Risk Factors – Whole Body VibrationsOffice Ergonomics – MSI Injury PreventionOffice Ergonomics Self-Inspection ChecklistSafety Share – Golfer's LiftSafety Share – Golfer's Lift VideoSafety Share – Lifting and HandlingSafety Share – Lunge LiftSafety Share – Lunge Lift VideoSafety Share – Overhead LiftSafety Share – Partial Lunge LiftSafety Share – Partial Lunge Lift VideoSafety Share – Partial Squat LiftSafety Share – Partial Squat Lift and One-Handed Carry VideoSafety Share – Pushing and PullingSafety Share – Shovelling TechniqueSafety Share – Sitting PositionSafety Share – Squat LiftSafety Share – Squat Lift VideoSafety Share – Standing PositionSafety Share – Team LiftSafety Share – Tips for Improved Laptop SetupSit/Stand Workstations (Workers and Employers)Supervisor Ergonomics Work Observation ChecklistWhat are the MSI facts