If you don't currently have a Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Prevention or Ergonomics Program use your Health & Safety Program as a foundation. This can be a simple and effective approach.
For example:
Include ergonomic initiatives in your Health & Safety policies.
- Workplace Inspections should include an ergonomic section - JHSC members should know how to identify basic MSD hazards such as force, awkward postures and repetitive work
- Continuous Improvement programs should ensure that a MSD hazard identification is completed pre and post design or equipment updates or changes.
- Purchasing should have a pre-approved purchasing list of tools, equipment and furniture that meet ergonomic guidelines.
- Employees should know how to report MSD hazards, so simple changes can be made to job tasks.
Review your current policies and ensure that you have included ergonomic strategies to reduce your employees risk of MSDs.
Two resources that can assist you in ensuring your policies and procedures meet industry standards are the MSD Prevention Series and the Workwell Audit.
Contact us today for assistance auditing your program or for a copy of either of these documents.
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2 Comments
Amanda:
Thanks for this.
We have seperate JOHSC and an Ergonomics Conmmitte and this will help in getting them working closer together. WAnother step we have taken is to add a section to our incident / Injury Investigation form that now allows us to indicate if the cause was/could be ergonomics related and as such requires an ergonomic assessment.
Jim
Good to hear Jim. Thanks for your comments.
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