WorkSafeBC Ergonomics Resources

General Resources

Preventing Musculoskeletal Injury(MSI): A Guide for Employers and Joint Committees (PDF 1.1 mb)
Understanding the Risks of Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI): An Educational Guide for Workers on Sprains, Strains, and Other MSIs (PDF 1.6 mb)
- Chinese Translation (PDF 1.4 mb)
- Punjabi Translation (PDF 1.3 mb)
Back Talk: An Owner's Manual for Backs (PDF 721 kb)
Does Your Back Hurt? A guide to preventing low back pain(PDF 128 kb)
How to Make Your Computer Workstation Fit You (PDF 807 kb)

Worksheets and Guidance Sheets

WORKSHEET A - MSI Risk Factor Identification (PDF 63 kb)
WORKSHEET B - MSI Risk Factor Assessment (PDF 1 mb)
MSI Prevention Guidance Sheet - Risk Factor: Pushing/Pulling/Carrying (PDF 20 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.
MSI Prevention Guidance Sheet - Tools for Ergonomic Assessments (PDF 109 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 137 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 Technician (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

Bend your knees to lift and ask for help (PDF 529 kb)
Don't hold the same position for long periods of time (PDF 139 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.

Support for overhead drilling, CI-0601 (PDF 82 kb)
Hammer drill support arm, CI-0602 (PDF 88 kb)
Rebar tying tool, CI-0603 (PDF 85 kb)
Repetition and excessive force, CI-0604 (PDF 102 kb)
Back belts in construction, CI-0605 (PDF 65 kb)
What are MSIs?, CI-0606 (PDF 227 kb)
Contact stress in construction work, CI-0607 (PDF 75 kb)
Lifting and your back, CI-0608 (PDF 60 kb)
How much can I lift?, CI-0609 (PDF 61 kb)
Selecting hand tools in construction trades, CI-0610 (PDF 57 kb)
Pushing and pulling on a construction site, CI-0611 (PDF 70 kb)
Safe manual handlling tips for construction workers, CI-0612 (PDF 80 kb)
Awkward posture and excessive force, CI-0613 (PDF 102 kb)
MSI risk factors, CI-0614 (PDF 165 kb)
Hand tool ergonomics (PDF 60 kb)
Assessing the risk of sprains and strains (PDF 294 kb)
Drywall delivery safety access hatch (PDF 65 kb)
Safe drywall delivery options for prime contractors (PDF 80 kb)
Reduce your risk of back injury – let your equipment do the work (PDF 107 kb)
Overcome the “Don’t sit on the job” attitude and your body will thank you (PDF 125 kb)
Using a pipe carriage prevents back, shoulder, and wrist fatigue (PDF 104 kb)
Suspending tools prevent back, arm, and shoulder fatigue (PDF 104 kb)
Balanced tool belts can start your back off in the right position (PDF 126 kb)
Job rotation gives the body a break (PDF 95 kb)
How to get through a day's work and still have something left over (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 Bar Staff (PDF 230 kb)
Preventing Injuries to Dishwashers (PDF 208 kb)
Preventing Injuries to Front Desk Agents (PDF 219 kb)
Preventing Injuries to Kitchen Staff (PDF 198 kb)
Preventing Injuries to Room Attendants (PDF 204 kb)
Preventing Injuries to Servers (PDF 178 kb)
Preventing Injuries when Handling Luggage (PDF 192 kb)
Preventing Injuries when Serving Banquets (PDF 196 kb)