TRAINING

ERGONOMICS TRAINING

Why is ergonomics training so important? Injuries to muscles, nerves and tendons can cause life-altering suffering, pain and disability. Across Canada one in every 10 adults suffer from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), also known as repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). Most begin in the workplace.

To spotlight the gravity of this epidemic, communities not only across Ontario but worldwide have officially declared the last day of February as International RSI Awareness Day. This dedicated day sees the organization of special events, aimed at fostering awareness and advocating for regulatory and workplace measures to proactively combat MSDs/RSIs. The overarching goal is to mitigate the adverse effects these conditions have on workers, their families, and the broader economy.

Fortunately, most workplace hazards that give rise to MSDs can be identified and controlled if not eliminated. To help address these hazards Workers Health & Safety Centre (WHSC) has teamed with workplace representatives and others with specific ergonomic knowledge and experience to develop a range of ergonomic training programs designed to support workers and workplace representatives in their MSD prevention efforts.

Let's get started. Courses are available in instructor-led in-person and online, virtual classrooms. For virtual classrooms, all that is required is a high-speed internet connection and a computer with a functioning camera, speakers and microphone.

Register for ergonomics training now!

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Ergonomic Toolbox

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This program is designed to introduce participants to the three components of the Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) Prevention Toolbox – the final resource published by the Occupational Health and Safety Council of Ontario (OHSCO) in support of their Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention Guideline for Ontario. This guideline is intended as a framework for MSD prevention and is being promoted as such by Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. Participants of this ‘toolbox’ course will gain, among other things, some basic insight into more complex hazard identification and assessment tools, including Snook Tables and the NIOSH Lifting Equation.

Duration: 3 hour(s)

Ergonomics and MSDs

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Poorly designed work and work environments can contribute to painful and life-altering musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). These account for more than 40 per cent of all approved lost-time injury claims in Ontario. This program provides joint health and safety committees with the knowledge and skills to recognize, assess and control, if not eliminate, factors that contribute to MSDs. Participants will review types of MSDs, their symptoms and health effects, explore how job demands and workplace components can contribute to MSDs, and learn how to identify and assess tasks that increase the risk of injury. Participants will also learn how ergonomics can be used to reduce job demands allowing workers to complete tasks more comfortably and safely.

Duration: 3 hour(s)

Ergonomics in Health Care and Social Services

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This program was developed to provide health care and social service workers with the skills to recognize, assess and eliminate or control musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) risk factors. This module examines MSDs, common types and health effects. Participants will explore the two categories of risk factors that lead to MSDs—job demands and workplace components. With an understanding of what causes MSDs, participants will examine the sciences behind ergonomics and the importance of making the work fit the worker. Participants will learn how to identify and assess tasks that may cause workers to adopt awkward postures, require forceful exertions or are repetitive in nature. The program includes several valuable resource sheets, many of which are specific to health care workers.

Duration: 3 hour(s)

Ergonomics: Applying Prevention Principles at Work

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This program builds on the knowledge obtained from Ergonomics: Basic Principles training program. The information presented helps prepare participants to play a more hands-on role in the prevention of MSDs. The program begins with an introduction to ergonomics and a detailed review of relevant legislation, its shortfalls and the characteristics of work and the workplace responsible for the development of these disorders. Participants then take a more detailed look at the science of designing work for workers. They will look at specific ergonomic assessment tools including Anthropometric and Snook tables. Specific workplace examples are used throughout the discussion to aid in the learning process.

Duration: 1 day(s)

Ergonomics: Basic Information for Joint Committees

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This program helps prepare members of joint committees and other workplace parties to play a more active role promoting the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries or disorders (MSDs) in their workplace. Examples of MSDs and their symptoms are discussed along with the risk factors responsible for the development of these injuries. Participants will then explore the basic concepts and sciences behind ergonomics with a focus on designing work and work processes to meet the physical and mental needs of workers. Strategies to implement workplace change, with a focus on the role of joint committees and the need for communication with workers are also discussed.

Duration: 1.5 day(s)

Ergonomics: Basic Principles

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This program explores the basics of how work can damage the musculoskeletal system. Equally important, participants learn about ergonomic solutions designed to eliminate or reduce work factors responsible for development of musculoskeletal pain and disorders (MSDs). Ergonomics is an applied science concerned with designing work stations, equipment, tools and processes so workers can interact with the work environment without harm. The program is designed to empower participants to play an informed and active role identifying the work factors that cause MSDs and recommending ergonomic solutions to eliminate the risk to worker health.

Note: Face masks are no longer mandatory in our classrooms. However, the choice of wearing a mask is one we respect. COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses can severely affect some. With this in mind, please do not attend in-person training if you are experiencing related symptoms.

Duration: 1 day(s)

Hand Tools

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This program links the hazards and risk factors associated with the design and use of hand tools with specific injuries such as those affecting the musculoskeletal system. Relevant legislation, codes and standards will be outlined along with the practical tools for recognizing and assessing the hazards and risk factors. The program is designed to prepare participants to return to their workplaces armed with the knowledge and tools to help them develop and implement an action plan to control or eliminate the health risks associated with hand tools.

Duration: 3 hour(s)

Manual Material Handling

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This program looks at the hazardous potential faced by workers performing lifting, carrying and other manual material handling (MMH) tasks and the specific injuries they may suffer. Relevant legislation is reviewed including guidelines established by the American National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Specific hazard recognition and assessment tools are discussed along with practical measures for eliminating or controlling hazards associated with MMH tasks including effective workplace design and the use of mechanical devices.

Duration: 3 hour(s)

Office Work Environment: Computer Hazards

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Participants discuss how office work has changed over the past decade and how these changes have made these environments more hazardous. They will explore how posture, force, and repetition influence the risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as back pain and tendonitis. Also identified is the basic office ergonomic design principles needed to reduce the risk for developing an MSD. Poor indoor air quality and stress are just two of many more office hazards to be discussed. Relevant legislation is reviewed along with guidelines for office ergonomics developed by the Canadian Standards Association. Participants then review assessment tools for identifying and assessing hazards in the office environment and the risk to health for exposed workers. Participants will also review the components of an effective action plan aimed at eliminating the wide range of risk factors found in the modern office setting.

Duration: 3 hour(s)

Patient Handling

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Patient handling tasks, including lifting, transferring and repositioning patients, are the main cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among health care workers. This three-hour training program will provide participants with knowledge they can apply in their workplace to help prevent these often debilitating disorders. Program participants will learn about legislation and regulations relevant to patient handling. They will also learn to assess contributing factors of patient handling hazards - factors grouped into three categories, the task, the workplace components and the patient's characteristics. Finally, they will also review elements a joint health and safety committee should ensure are in effect in order to support a strong prevention program. To this end, participants engage in various activities aimed at understanding model patient handling policies and various assessment and selection tools used to assist workers in determining the scale of the hazard and necessary procedures and equipment.

Duration: 3 hour(s)

Work Organization

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This program explores how hours of work, scheduling, technological change, pace of work and other elements of work organization affect the health and well-being of workers. Relevant legislation is reviewed along with hazard recognition and assessment tools. Flextime, job enrichment and job rotation are just a few of the measures explored that look to overcome the hazards associated with poor work organization and lessen the risk to health faced by workers.

Duration: 3 hour(s)

Workers Health & Safety Centre

Workers Health & Safety Centre

Centre de santé et de sécurité des travailleurs

Workers Health & Safety Centre

Centre de santé et de sécurité des travailleurs

TRAINING

ERGONOMICS TRAINING

Ergonomic Toolbox

Ergonomics and MSDs

Ergonomics in Health Care and Social Services

Ergonomics: Applying Prevention Principles at Work

Ergonomics: Basic Information for Joint Committees

Ergonomics: Basic Principles

Hand Tools

Manual Material Handling

Office Work Environment: Computer Hazards

Patient Handling

Work Organization

Maintenance Message

Workers Health & Safety Centre

TRAINING

ERGONOMICS TRAINING