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Injury Prevention Resources for Manufacturing

The following links list tools, publications, and other resources to help prevent the most common injuries and illnesses in the manufacturing 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.

General | Confined Spaces | Ergonomics | Lockout | Machinery & Equipment (Safeguarding) | Mobile Equipment | Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | Hearing Protection | Slips, Trips & Falls | Young Worker

Ergonomics

Multimedia

Lifting in the Workplace (video)

video thumbnail Lifting is a common task in many workplaces. This animated video illustrates the risk associated with lifting and suggests ways to reduce this risk. (1 min 29 s)
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

Booklets & pamphlets

Safety in Manufacturing - Ergonomics
These worksheets can be used as a guide to identify ergonomics risk factors commonly found in the manufacturing industry. They also include some recommended limits along with possible control options.

Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

Making It Right: Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries (MSIs) in Manufacturing (PDF 1.3 MB)
This publication provides guidance to help employers, joint health and safety committees, and worker health and safety representatives understand the risk of MSI and make simple changes in the workplace to reduce the risks and make manufacturing tasks easier to perform.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* Print copies are available for purchase from the WorkSafeBC Store

Back Talk: An Owner's Manual for Backs BK4 (PDF 706 KB)
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.
Updated: November 2011
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* Print copies are available for purchase from the WorkSafeBC Store
* A free ebook version for iPad is available on iTunes

Preventing Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI): A Guide for Employers and Joint Committees BK77 (PDF 4 MB)
This book provides guidance to help employers and joint committees prevent MSI in the workplace. It discusses the MSI prevention process: consultation, education, risk identification, risk assessment, risk control, training, and evaluation. The book also includes a table of some common risk control options and a chart that can be used to investigate MSIs.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* Available for purchase from the WorkSafeBC Store.

Understanding the Risks of Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI): An Educational Guide for Workers, on Sprains, Strains, and Other MSIs BK78 (PDF 1.2 MB)
A guide to help workers and employers recognize the signs and symptoms of MSI and understand the potential health effects of these injuries. Helps to identify the factors that place workers at risk for MSI, such as force, repetition, work posture, and local contact stress.
updated" December 2008
Also available in the following languages:

Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* Available for purchase from the WorkSafeBC Store.

Assessment tools

Lift / Lower Calculator

Lift/Lower Calculator This calculator takes into account some common risk factors and then helps you estimate whether a lift has a low, moderate, or high risk of injury.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

Push / Pull / Carry Calculator

Push/Pull/Carry Calculator This calculator can be used to estimate the suggested maximum force that can be used during pushing and pulling, and the weight that can be carried.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC

Web resources


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