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Ergonomics FAQs
What is an 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. It includes sprains, strains, and inflammation.
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 job 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.
Why must employers comply with the Ergonomics (MSI) 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 duty 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, productivity, and quality of products and services.
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 complied with.
Under these sections of the Regulation, the employer has the following responsibilities.
- Consult with the joint committee, or the worker health and safety representative, and with certain workers when implementing the MSI requirements. (See the FAQs on Consultation for more information.) 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 workers required to do?
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 committee or worker health and safety representative, and WCB 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? Do I need one?
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation does not require employers to have a written MSI prevention policy. However, 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
What is the 7-step process?
The 7-step process (or the MSI prevention process) is a model to assist employers in complying with the Ergonomics (MSI) Requirements. The seven steps include the seven responsibilities listed above.
A detailed description of the process can be seen in the WorkSafeBC publication Preventing Musculoskeletal Injury: A Guide for Employers and Joint Committees(PDF 924 KB).
Do employers have to follow the 7-step process?
Employers do not have to follow the 7-step process for preventing MSI. They are free to choose any method that meets the general intention of the MSI requirements - to eliminate or reduce the risk of MSI to workers.
What resources does WorkSafeBC have to help an employer with ergonomic issues?
WorkSafeBC produces written guidance for employers and joint health and safety committees. These publications can be found under the resources section of WorkSafeBC's ergonomics homepage. In addition, employers can get assistance from the local WorkSafeBC prevention officer (contact your local WorkSafeBC office).