MSD PreventionMSD Prevention

& Back care & Back care

What is MSD? & Why What is MSD? & Why

should I care?should I care?

Be part of the solution!Be part of the solution!

Musculoskeletal Disorder Musculoskeletal Disorder

(MSD)(MSD)

The Umbrella TermThe Umbrella Term�� Repetitive Strain Repetitive Strain

Injury (RSI)Injury (RSI)

�� Cumulative Trauma Cumulative Trauma

disorder (CTD)disorder (CTD)

�� Work related Work related

musculoskeletal musculoskeletal

disorder (WMSD)disorder (WMSD)

�� Musculoskeletal Musculoskeletal

Injury (MSI, MSK)Injury (MSI, MSK)

�� Occupational Occupational

overuse syndrome overuse syndrome

(OOS)(OOS)

�� Sprain and strainSprain and strain

Definition of Musculoskeletal Definition of Musculoskeletal

DisorderDisorder

(MSD)(MSD)

�� MSDsMSDs are injuries and disorders of the are injuries and disorders of the

musculoskeletal system. They are caused or musculoskeletal system. They are caused or

aggravated by various hazards or risk factors aggravated by various hazards or risk factors

in the workplace. in the workplace.

�� The musculoskeletal system includes;The musculoskeletal system includes;

�� Muscle, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, bursa, Muscle, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, bursa,

blood vessels, spinal discsblood vessels, spinal discs

�� MSDsMSDs do notdo not include injuries that are direct include injuries that are direct

result of a fall, struck by or against, caught in or result of a fall, struck by or against, caught in or

on, MVC, violence etc..on, MVC, violence etc..

What causes What causes MSDsMSDs??

1.1. AwkwardAwkward body posturesbody postures

2.2. RepetitionRepetition, especially the rate of , especially the rate of

repetitionrepetition

3.3. ForceForce used in a taskused in a task

4.4. Static loadingStatic loading of musclesof muscles

5.5. The risk of each of these factors is The risk of each of these factors is

increased when combined with increased when combined with

““durationduration””

6.6. CombinationCombination of any of the aboveof any of the above

Additional HazardsAdditional Hazards

�� Vibration:Vibration: There are two types of vibration; whole There are two types of vibration; whole body and segmentalbody and segmental

�� Temperature: Temperature: Working in either very hot or cold Working in either very hot or cold environmentsenvironments

�� Contact Stress:Contact Stress: Occurs when part of the body comes Occurs when part of the body comes in contact with hard, sharp surfaces or objectsin contact with hard, sharp surfaces or objects

�� Work Methods:Work Methods: refers to the way work is done refers to the way work is done (technique or habits) proper training, assistive devices (technique or habits) proper training, assistive devices etc..etc..

Assessing Your RiskAssessing Your Risk

�� Jobs that have abnormal postures that Jobs that have abnormal postures that

create excessive muscular action or create excessive muscular action or

static loading. static loading.

�� Jobs that do not have a lot of movement Jobs that do not have a lot of movement

in them, like sitting at a workstation for in them, like sitting at a workstation for

prolonged periods have the same prolonged periods have the same

predisposition for back problems. predisposition for back problems.

Symptoms of Symptoms of MSDsMSDs

�� May include the following;May include the following;

�� Numbness or a burning sensation in the Numbness or a burning sensation in the

handhand

�� Reduced grip strengthReduced grip strength

�� Swelling or stiffness in the jointsSwelling or stiffness in the joints

�� Reduced range of motion in the shoulder, Reduced range of motion in the shoulder,

neck or backneck or back

�� Aching or tinglingAching or tingling

Symptoms Symptoms concon’’tt

�� CrampingCramping

�� Weakness Weakness

�� Tension, stress, headaches and related Tension, stress, headaches and related

ailmentsailments

�� Eye irritation or blurred visionEye irritation or blurred vision

�� In time, they may become worse and not In time, they may become worse and not

stop when away from the workplace stop when away from the workplace

Facts Facts

�� Everyone will experience some type of back pain Everyone will experience some type of back pain during the course of their lives. during the course of their lives.

�� More than 70 % of back problems begin during routine More than 70 % of back problems begin during routine daily activitiesdaily activities

�� Accidents or trauma account for only 30 % of back Accidents or trauma account for only 30 % of back problemsproblems

�� For many people, back pain can be caused by For many people, back pain can be caused by poor poor posture and bad habitsposture and bad habits, regardless of occupation, regardless of occupation

�� Nurses Nurses –– 38% of all nurses will suffer a back injury at 38% of all nurses will suffer a back injury at work work –– 2/3 of them are due to lifting a patient2/3 of them are due to lifting a patient

�� MSDMSD’’ss are the single largest WSIB lost time injuryare the single largest WSIB lost time injury

��

Assessing Your RiskAssessing Your Risk

LiftingLifting

�� The heavier the load, the greater the risk The heavier the load, the greater the risk to the back. to the back.

�� If twisting movement is involved in lifting, If twisting movement is involved in lifting, the greater risk to the back the greater risk to the back

�� Situations where a weight shifts suddenly Situations where a weight shifts suddenly while being lifted can also create while being lifted can also create ↑↑ risk risk (e.g., Transferring a patient) (e.g., Transferring a patient)

What can you do?What can you do?

�� Lift smartLift smart

�� use correct body mechanics, neutral spine, flex use correct body mechanics, neutral spine, flex

abdominals, keep load close, donabdominals, keep load close, don’’t twist t twist ––move feetmove feet

�� Modify HeightModify Height

�� Raise or lower work surfaceRaise or lower work surface

�� Reduce EffortReduce Effort

�� Ask for help! Plan the routeAsk for help! Plan the route

�� Use the right toolsUse the right tools

�� use appropriate lifting devices to assist with loaduse appropriate lifting devices to assist with load

Office TipsOffice Tips

�� Sitting PostureSitting Posture

�� Sit in a chair that is low enough to place both feet on Sit in a chair that is low enough to place both feet on

floor floor –– or use a foot rest, adjust seat height to just or use a foot rest, adjust seat height to just

below knee cap when standing below knee cap when standing

�� Have a chair that supports your lower back in a Have a chair that supports your lower back in a

slightly arched positionslightly arched position

�� Use Use an arm rest whenever possible to reduce stress an arm rest whenever possible to reduce stress

to the upper body and neckto the upper body and neck

�� Adjust your chair to suit your individual needs Adjust your chair to suit your individual needs

especially in shared workstationsespecially in shared workstations

Your desk spaceYour desk space……

�� Know how to Know how to adjust your workstationadjust your workstation

�� Make the correct Make the correct adjustadjustments to your chairments to your chair

�� AdjustAdjust the keyboard, monitor height, and distancethe keyboard, monitor height, and distance

�� When doing a lot of mouse activity try to When doing a lot of mouse activity try to alternatealternate

between left & right hand usebetween left & right hand use

�� Think of what data entry device you use most Think of what data entry device you use most

frequent & locate it in a neutral positionfrequent & locate it in a neutral position

�� Request an Request an ergonomic evaluationergonomic evaluation through through

Occupational Health NurseOccupational Health Nurse

Preventing Back PainPreventing Back Pain

�� Posture Posture –– should be stable, balanced and relaxed should be stable, balanced and relaxed when sitting, walking or standing.when sitting, walking or standing.

�� Sitting Sitting –– dondon’’t sit for long periods of time; stand up, t sit for long periods of time; stand up, stretch and walk around. stretch and walk around.

�� Driving Driving –– position your car seat so your back is position your car seat so your back is supported and your legs are relaxed and slightly bent. supported and your legs are relaxed and slightly bent.

�� Sleeping Sleeping –– your mattress should be firm enough to your mattress should be firm enough to support your spine in a neutral position support your spine in a neutral position –– no sagging!no sagging!

�� Mix it up Mix it up –– Add variety and vary your tasks/choresAdd variety and vary your tasks/chores

�� Exercise Exercise –– a healthy bodya healthy body--weight puts less strain on weight puts less strain on your back. Keeping your back flexible and strong with your back. Keeping your back flexible and strong with correct back and stomach exercises.correct back and stomach exercises.

Other MSD prevention tipsOther MSD prevention tips

�� Lower rather than Lower rather than

liftlift

�� Always use proper Always use proper

lifting techniqueslifting techniques

�� Push rather than Push rather than

pullpull

�� Push or pull rather Push or pull rather

than carrythan carry

�� Work within the Work within the

power zonepower zone

�� Avoid awkward Avoid awkward

posturespostures

�� Build adjustability Build adjustability

into the job/taskinto the job/task

Thank you!Thank you!

If you have any questions or concerns If you have any questions or concerns

please bring them to the attention of please bring them to the attention of

your supervisor or a member of the your supervisor or a member of the

Joint Occupational Health & Safety Joint Occupational Health & Safety

CommitteeCommittee