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Injury Prevention Resources for Performing Arts & Film - Music
The following links list tools, publications, and other resources to help prevent the most common injuries and illnesses in the performing arts and film industry. These resources may not meet all the requirements for health and safety in British Columbia. Please check the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and related materials for specific WorkSafeBC requirements.
Orientation for Young and New Workers from SHAPE
"Our industries have a highly mobile workforce. SHAPE will be working to provide generic orientation to groups of new and young workers. Workers who have taken SHAPE's Safety Awareness training or who can display a SHAPE Your Rights wallet card will have received orientation on Employers and Workers rights and responsibilities and the Right to Refuse unsafe work. However, site specific orientation will still be required. Please see the attached checklist for clarification."Source: SHAPE, Safety and Health in Arts Production and Entertainment
* PDF (173 KB)
SHAPE Library
SHAPE has a lending library; as well as many documents available for download or viewing online.Source: SHAPE, Safety and Health in Arts Production and Entertainment
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Performing Arts Safety (PAS) Program
The PAS program is a free service which provides the tools, information and resources to put a personalized health and safety program into place for your Performing Arts organization.
For information on the PAS Program, please contact Brent Rossington, Health & Safety Consultant (Performing Arts). Phone: 604.733.4682 x: 223. email: .
Musicians and MSI: Symptoms and types of injuries
A SHAPE resource.Source: SHAPE, Safety and Health in Arts Production and Entertainment
* PDF (43 KB)
Musicians and MSI: Prevention and treatment
A SHAPE resource.Source: SHAPE, Safety and Health in Arts Production and Entertainment
* PDF (52 KB)
Preventing Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI) for Musicians and Dancers
This manual is a resource guide for performers, teachers, parents, and health professionals who want to learn more about common musculoskeletal injuries afflicting musicians and dancers, and how to prevent them.Source: SHAPE, Safety and Health in Arts Production and Entertainment
* PDF (6 MB)
Listen While You Work: Hearing Conservation for the Arts
This manual will tell you a lot about the risks you face -- on the job and off -- and what you can do to conserve your hearing. Whether or not you like what you hear, this manual will help ensure that you will hear, and continue to hear in the years to come.Source: SHAPE, Safety and Health in Arts Production and Entertainment
* PDF (432 KB)
A Review of Orchestral Musicians' Hearing Loss Risks
This report reviews the literature concerning the noise exposure and hearing loss of symphony orchestra musicians.Source: WorkSafeBC
* PDF (43 KB)
Date: Mid 2001
Go to the Hearing Loss Prevention pages on the Safety at Work website for additional information.
Index of articles from Musicians' Clinic of Canada
This selection of articles includes information on musicians' hearing loss and injuries. The Toronto-based clinic specializes in the prevention and treatment of injuries sustained by people in the performing arts.Source: Musicians' Clinic of Canada
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Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers
"Hearnet is our interactive website that is updated regularly, providing information and resources on tinnitus, hearing loss, hearing evaluation referrals, hearing aids and assistive listening devices (ALD's), as well as a referral service of audiology partners, ear doctors, and entertainment links."Source: H.E.A.R.
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What makes musicians prone to Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)?
This article describes why musicians' hands and arms are at risk for injury, and what can be done to help prevent problems from developing in the first place.Source: Dr. Timothy Jameson, Doctor of Chiropractic, Castro Valley, CA
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Performing Arts Medicine Association
"The Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) is a non-profit professional organization for physicians and other professional persons who are involved in treatment and/or research in the field of Performing Arts Medicine."Source: PAMA (Performing Arts Medicine Association)
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Musicians' Health
An educational web site "devoted to the understanding of why musicians are susceptible to injury, especially painful neck, shoulder, arm and hand problems. In this web site, you will learn why injuries develop, how to prevent them, and discover treatment options available to you should you experience symptoms."Source: Dr. Timothy Jameson, Doctor of Chiropractic, Castro Valley, CA
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Musicians and Injuries
This web page links to dozens of resources on musicians and injuries.Source: Paul Marxhausen
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Environmental Issues for the Musician
Musicians can be exposed to hot and cold temperatures, sun, noise, dry ice, and lighting. This article examines each of these factors.Source: Dr. Timothy Jameson, Doctor of Chiropractic, Castro Valley, CA
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Ergonomic Hazards
"Ergonomic hazards include repetitive and forceful movements, vibration, temperature extremes, and awkward postures that arise from improper work methods and improperly designed workstations, tools, and equipment." An OSH Answers document.Source: CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)
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Back Talk: An Owner's Manual for Backs BK4
An illustrated handbook that explains how the back works, provides tips for avoiding injury, and shows how to care for the back during recovery. The booklet also covers situations that can cause excessive loads and describes ways to reduce the risk of injury.Source: WorkSafeBC
* PDF (621 KB)
Updated: April 2007
* Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.
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