Sprains & strains
Sprains and strains are among the most common injuries for B.C. workers. They can arise from a number of incident types, such as overexertion, repetitive motion, motor vehicle incident, and slips, trips, and falls. Sprains and strains that arise from overexertion and repetitive motion incident types are referred to as musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) at WorkSafeBC.
How to reduce the risks
To reduce the risk of sprains and strains caused by overexertion and repetitive motion, you can use risk controls to eliminate the hazards that cause the injuries. When choosing the appropriate risk controls, the employer must consult with the joint health and safety committee or the worker health and safety representative. Be sure to test the risk control before fully implementing to make it work within your organization. To help identify potential risk controls, consider the following questions:
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Engineering controls
Physical modifications to facilities, equipment, and processes can reduce risk factors for MSIs. Some questions to consider:
- Can equipment or furniture be added or modified to eliminate or reduce awkward postures for workers?
- Can the workplace be modified to eliminate or reduce the need for lifting of heavy objects?
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Administrative controls
Changing work practices and work policies, awareness tools, and training can limit the risk of MSIs. Some questions to consider:
- Can tasks requiring highly repetitive motions be automated?
- Can tasks requiring heavy lifting be done by mechanized equipment, or by teams of workers rather than one person?
Resources
Guide to Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI) Risk Assessment
This guide for employers addresses how to do an MSI risk assessment. It outlines the requirements for a proper MSI risk assessment and describes the risk factors you need to consider in your assessment....
Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI) Risk Assessment Worksheet
This worksheet is intended to help employers assess the risk of MSIs and should be used alongside our Guide to Musculoskeletal Injury...
Push/Pull/Carry Calculator
This calculator can be used to estimate the suggested maximum force that can be used during pushing and pulling, and the weight that can be carried.
Visit our Ergonomics webpage...
Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls in the Workplace
This book, written for employers and joint health and safety committees, describes common misconceptions about slips, trips, and falls as well as the factors that contribute to their causes. It also...