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MSI Prevention Process
What is ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the science of fitting workplace conditions and job demands to workers' capabilities. The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation requires employers to identify and assess certain workplace conditions and physical demands (called risk factors) so that they can eliminate or minimize the risk of MSI to workers. Examples of risk factors include force required, repetition, working heights, and temperature. For more about risk factors, see the FAQs on Risk Identification.
What is a musculoskeletal injury (MSI)?
A musculoskeletal injury (MSI) is defined as an injury or disorder of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, blood vessels, or related soft tissue that may be caused or aggravated by work. MSI are often called sprains and strains. The most common examples of MSI include conditions such as low back injuries involving muscles, ligaments or spinal discs, tendonitis, bursitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) account for approximately 30% of all lost time injuries to workers in British Columbia.
What are the legal requirements?
The Ergonomics (MSI) Requirements are a part of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, a regulation made under the Workers Compensation Act. This places a legal obligation on employers to identify and assess risk factors and to eliminate or minimize the risk. Employers have found that complying with the MSI Requirements not only reduces work-related injuries but also offers additional benefits, such as increased morale and productivity.
What are the employer's responsibilities?
Employers are responsible for ensuring that the Ergonomics MSI Requirements, sections 4.46 to 4.53 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, are compiled with. Under these sections of the Regulation, the employer has the following responsibilities. (See the FAQs) for more information.
Consult with the joint committee, or the worker health and safety representative, and with certain workers when implementing the MSI requirements.
Educate workers in risk identification related to their work, including the early signs and symptoms of MSIs and their potential health effects.
Identify factors in the workplace that may expose workers to a risk of MSI.
Assess the degree of risk to workers.
Control the risk of MSI by implementing effective control measures.
Train workers to use the MSI control measures that have been implemented.
Evaluate the control measures to determine their effectiveness and to ensure that any deficiencies are corrected without undue delay.
What are the workers' responsibilities?
Under the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, workers have the following responsibilities with regard to the Ergonomics (MSI) Requirements.
- Know the MSI risk factors related to their work, as well as the signs and symptoms of MSI and their potential health effects.
- Participate in education and training on established safe work procedures, including the use of risk controls such as mechanical aids.
- Follow MSI prevention policies and safe work procedures.
- Cooperate with the employer, joint health and safety committee or worker health and safety representative, and WorkSafeBC prevention officers.
- Report signs and symptoms of MSI to their supervisor and first aid attendant (where required). They must also report to their supervisor any unsafe acts or conditions, such as the failure of mechanical lifting equipment or changes in the job that could compromise safety.
What is an MSI prevention policy?
Written MSI prevention policies are not required although some employers use written policies to:
- Outline the organization's commitment to injury prevention.
- Set out guiding principles, objectives, and terms of reference to achieve the organization's injury reduction goals.
- Define roles and responsibilities of key personnel in the organization's prevention strategy.
- Specify training and education provisions.
MSI (ergonomics) program template
This template will help employers identify, assess, control, and document ergonomic risks in their workplaces. The template (in Word format) describes the basic elements of a workplace ergonomics program which can be adapted by employers to design effective programs and establish consistent safety procedures to prevent musculoskeletal injuries (MSI).
Source: WorkSafeBC 
* Word document
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