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Injury Prevention Resources for Health Care - General Ergonomics


Patient Handling | General Ergonomics | Violence | Infectious Disease |
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The following links list tools, publications, and other resources to help prevent the most common injuries and illnesses in the health care 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.

Best Practices for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: Understanding and Minimizing Risk of Musculoskeletal Injury new item

This toolkit for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers provides known solutions to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Topics include identification of high risk procedures, changes to equipment and supports, work techniques, and work scheduling and organization. This project was jointly funded by WorkSafeBC and the Health Sciences Association of B.C.

Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC  and the Health Sciences Association of BC

MSI Prevention Bulletins

Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention Bulletins provide information on typical MSI issues faced by workers in the following occupations. The information is provided as a guideline only; employers must still complete an MSI risk assessment to accurately determine the risk in their workplace.

Source:WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

Preventing Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI): A Guide for Employers and Joint Committees BK77

This booklet describes the process for preventing musculoskeletal injuries in the workplace. MSI is a common type of workplace injury in all industries in British Columbia. MSI claims resulting from overexertion and repetitive motion accidents account for about one-third of claims accepted by WorkSafeBC. In some industries, this proportion is much higher.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (1.6 MB) (Updated: September 2009)
Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

Understanding the Risks of Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI). An educational guide for workers, on sprains, strains, and other MSIs BK78

This booklet provides information to help workers, employers, and joint health and safety committees recognize the signs and symptoms of MSI, understand the potential health effects of MSI, and identify the factors that place workers at risk for MSI.
* PDF (1.2 MB) (Updated: December 2008) * Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

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 WorkSafeBC
* PDF (706 KB)
Updated: November 2011
* Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

How to Make Your Computer Workstation Fit You BK76

An illustrated guide containing basic information on how to identify and solve problems with computer workstations.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (2.4 MB) Updated: September 2009
* French translation (PDF 1.8 MB)
* Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

Langley Early Assessment and Prevention (LEAP) Program

In an effort to reduce the number of days lost due to workplace injuries the Fraser Health Authority developed and implemented an early return to work program. This project specifically focused on addressing musculoskeletal injuries that arose out of or in the course of employment. Best practices for return to work in health care were identified. The overall reduction in claim costs experienced at LMH during the LEAP project was 25%.
Source: Fraser Health Authority and Langley Memorial Hospital
* PDF (2 MB)

Ergonomics (Musculoskeletal) Risk Assessment Project at Langley Memorial Hospital

An 18-month project by the Fraser Health Authority to conduct ergonomics (MSI) risk assessments addressing the risks associated with working in a medium-sized acute care facility.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (5 MB)

The following sample risk assessments are entirely generic and do not reflect any actual setting. They are intended only as examples for reference.

The World Without Linen Bags

Soiled linen handling is seldom considered a causal factor when investigating injuries, however, the "World Without Linen Bags" project group believes that linen bag handling contributes to the cumulative risk of MSI for occupational groups involved in this activity.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (5 MB)
* 2002 Annual Update PDF (6 KB)

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