WorkSafeBC Ergonomics Resources

General Resources

Preventing Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI): A Guide for Employers and Joint Committees (PDF 1.6 mb)
Understanding the Risks of Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI): An Educational Guide for Workers on Sprains, Strains, and Other MSIs (PDF 1.2 mb)
- Chinese Translation (PDF 1.4 mb)
- Punjabi Translation (PDF 1.3 mb)
Back Talk: An Owner's Manual for Backs (PDF 564 kb)
Does Your Back Hurt? A guide to preventing low back pain (PDF 256 kb)
How to Make Your Computer Workstation Fit You (PDF 2.4 mb)
A Clean Sweep (PDF 3.4 mb)

Worksheets, Guidance Sheets, and Calculators

WORKSHEET A - MSI Risk Factor Identification (PDF 300 kb)
WORKSHEET B - MSI Risk Factor Assessment (PDF 419 kb)
MSI Prevention Guidance Sheet - Risk Factor: Pushing/Pulling/Carrying (PDF 21 kb)
Use this guidance sheet with Worksheets A and B to identify and assess the risk of MSI due to pushing, pulling, and carrying forces.
Push/Pull/Carry Calculator
An online calculator for estimating the suggested maximum force when pushing or pulling, and the suggested maximum weight when carrying.
MSI Prevention Guidance Sheet - Tools for Ergonomic Assessments (PDF 100 kb)
This guidance sheet describes two tools - force gauges and goniometers - commonly used to measure force and awkward postures.
MSI Prevention Guidance Sheet - Risk Factor: Local Contact Stresses (PDF 132 kb)
Use this guidance sheet with Worksheets A and B to identify and assess the risk of MSI due to local contact stresses.
MSI Prevention Guidance Sheet - Risk Factor: Cold Temperature (PDF 28 kb)
Use this guidance sheet with Worksheets A and B to assess the risks of musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) due to cold temperatures.

Ergonomics Commentaries

Ergonomics Commentary 1 – Back Belts (PDF 129 kb)
Ergonomics Commentary 2 – Wrist Braces (PDF 99 kb)
Ergonomics Commentary 3 – Computer Mouse (PDF 148 kb)

Musculoskeletal Injury (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.

General X-ray Technologist (PDF 98 kb)
Warehouse Order Picker (PDF 220 kb)
Bed Making and Cleaning in Health Care (PDF 167 kb)
Room Cleaning in Health Care (PDF 186 kb)
Floor Mopping (PDF 195 kb)
Tree Planting (PDF 220 kb)
Floor-Cleaning Machines (PDF 182 kb)
Laundry in Health Care Facilities (PDF 382 kb)

Hazard Alerts and Posters

Use control measures to minimize risks of patient handling (PDF 1.2 mb)
Conduct risk assessments to determine the safest methods for patient handling (PDF 131 kb)
Soaker pads are not for repositioning (PDF 618 kb)
Bend your knees to lift and ask for help (PDF 529 kb)
Don't hold the same position for long periods of time (PDF 142 kb)
Use a full-hand grip (PDF 100 kb)
Reduce repetitive movements (PDF 109 kb)
Avoid awkward work positions PDF 129 kb)

Constructive Ideas: Reducing soft tissue injuries

Innovative ideas to reduce soft tissue injuries in the construction industry.

MSI Education

Assessing the risk of sprains and strains, CI-0616 (PDF 294 kb)
What are MSIs?, CI-0606 (PDF 227 kb)
MSI risk factors, CI-0614 (PDF 165 kb)
Repetition and excessive force, CI-0604 (PDF 102 kb)
Awkward posture and excessive force, CI-0613 (PDF 102 kb)
Contact stress in construction work, CI-0607 (PDF 75 kb)

Manual Handling Education

Safe manual handlling tips for construction workers, CI-0612 (PDF 80 kb)
Lifting and your back, CI-0608 (PDF 60 kb)
How much can I lift?, CI-0609 (PDF 61 kb)
Pushing and pulling on a construction site, CI-0611 (PDF 70 kb)

Prevention

Awareness

Reduce your risk of back injury – let your equipment do the work, CI-0617 (PDF 107 kb)
Overcome the “Don’t sit on the job” attitude and your body will thank you, CI-0618 (PDF 125 kb)
How to get through a day's work and still have something left over, CI-0623 (PDF 126 kb)
15 tips to reduce sprains and strains in construction, CI-0624 (PDF 70 kb)

Innovations

Rebar tying tool, CI-0603 (PDF 85 kb)
Hammer drill support arm, CI-0602 (PDF 88 kb)
Support for overhead drilling, CI-0601 (PDF 82 kb)
Back belts in construction, CI-0605 (PDF 65 kb)
Drywall delivery safety access hatch, PL17 (PDF 65 kb)
Safe drywall delivery options for prime contractors, PL25 (PDF 80 kb)
Using a pipe carriage prevents back, shoulder, and wrist fatigue, CI-0619 (PDF 104 kb)

Controls

Selecting hand tools in construction trades, CI-0610 (PDF 57 kb)
Hand tool ergonomics, CI-0615 (PDF 60 kb)
Suspending tools prevent back, arm, and shoulder fatigue, CI-0620 (PDF 104 kb)
Job rotation gives the body a break, CI-0622 (PDF 95 kb)
Balanced tool belts can start your back off in the right position, CI-0621 (PDF 126 kb)

Ergonomic Tips for the Hospitality Industry

A series of eight ergonomic pamphlets for the hospitality industry, with general information about tasks that contribute to musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) such as sprains and strains.

Preventing Injuries to Casino Card Dealers (PDF 588 kb)
Preventing Injuries to Bar Staff (PDF 229 kb)
Preventing Injuries to Dishwashers (PDF 207 kb)
Preventing Injuries to Front Desk Agents (PDF 218 kb)
Preventing Injuries to Kitchen Staff (PDF 197 kb)
Preventing Injuries to Room Attendants (PDF 203 kb)
Preventing Injuries to Servers(PDF 177 kb)
Preventing Injuries when Handling Luggage (PDF 191 kb)
Preventing Injuries when Serving Banquets (PDF 196 kb)

For more resources go to the WorkSafeBC Ergonomics Website: http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/Ergonomics/Home.asp.

	About \| Feedback \| Contact Us \| WorkSafeBC.com \| Terms of Use
This calculator requires Internet Explorer version 5.5 or higher.