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Injury Prevention Resources for Health Care - General Ergonomics


Patient Handling | General Ergonomics | Violence | Infectious Disease |
Home Care | Chemical and Physical Hazards | General Safety |

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.

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

This booklet describes the process for preventing MSI 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 British Columbia. In some industries, this proportion is much higher.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (902 KB)
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 (2 MB) (Updated: January 2007) * 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 (621 KB)
Updated: June 2007
* 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 (807 KB) Updated: January 2005
* French translation (PDF 1.8 MB)
* Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

MSI Prevention Bulletin 1 - General X-ray Technologist

This bulletin provides information for general x-ray technologists regarding possible risk controls to eliminate or minimize musculoskeletal injuries.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (98 KB)

MSI Prevention Bulletin 3 - Bed Making and Cleaning in Health Care

This bulletin provides information for housekeepers and care aides regarding possible risk controls to eliminate or minimize musculoskeletal injury during bed making and cleaning.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (167 KB)

MSI Prevention Bulletin 4 - Room Cleaning in Health Care

This bulletin provides information regarding possible risk controls to eliminate or minimize musculoskeletal injury during room cleaning in health care settings.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (186 KB)

MSI Prevention Bulletin 5 - Floor Mopping

This bulletin provides information for housekeepers, cleaners, and custodians regarding possible risk controls to eliminate or minimize musculoskeletal injury during floor mopping.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (195 KB)

MSI Prevention Bulletin 7 - Floor-Cleaning Machines

This bulletin provides information for housekeepers, cleaners, and custodians regarding possible risk controls to eliminate or minimize musculoskeletal injury during the use of vacuums, polishers/burnishers, and floor scrubbers to clean floors.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (182 KB)

MSI Prevention Bulletin 8 - Laundry in Health Care Facilities

This bulletin provides information for workers in intermediate and extended care facilities regarding possible risk controls to eliminate or minimize musculoskeletal injury when handling laundry.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (373 KB)

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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