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You are here: Home / Health and Safety / Ergonomics training for employers

By Andrew Lawson | 2 Minutes Read March 17, 2010

Ergonomics training for employers

ergonomicsErgonomics is the science of creating a proper fit between a worker and the work environment. Employers are required by law to employ ergonomic principles in the workplace in order to prevent workplace muscular skeletal disorders (WMSD) and also to prevent existing conditions from worsening.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety provides the following definition for WMSD: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a group of painful disorders of muscles, tendons and nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, thoracic outlet syndrome and tension neck syndrome are examples. Work activities which are frequent and repetitive, or activities with awkward postures cause these disorders which may be painful during work or at rest.

The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requires employers to:

  • Ensure workers are aware of workplace hazards
  • Take EVERY precaution reasonable for the protection of workers including:
    • Implementing procedures and processes that reduce the likelihood of injury from the identified hazards
    • Providing information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker

TRAINING of managers and supervisors will enhance your organization’s compliance with these legal obligations under the OHSA.

TRAINING is consistent with your legal obligations to operate your business with DUE DILIGENCE for the safety of your workers.

TRAINING of managers and supervisors must include:

  • The meaning and implications of due diligence in workplace health and safety matters
  • A thorough understanding of the legal obligations listed above
  • Identifying, assessing and controlling workplace muscular skeletal disorders
  • How to respond when workers report a concern, pain or discomfort
  • How to recognize WMSD hazards and use WMSD hazard identification tools
  • How to recognize indicators for WMSD hazards
  • How to analyze injury and incident reports for WMSD trends and issues
  • How to look for WMSD hazards during workplace inspections
  • How to eliminate or control WMSD hazards in the workplace

Andrew Lawson, Human Rights Advisor, Learn Don’t Litigate, www.learndl.ca, 416-534-3499

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Andrew Lawson
Trainer and advisor at Learn Don't Litigate
Andrew Lawson is a human rights and health and safety trainer and advisor, currently consulting to both the federal and Ontario governments. Since 1996, he has conducted extensive legal research in the areas of human rights and occupational health and safety law. He has worked in the people management business for over 25 years.
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Article by Andrew Lawson / Health and Safety / ergonomics, ergonomics training, health and safety, occupational health and safety, OH&S, OHSA, policies and procedures, training, workers compensation

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About Andrew Lawson

Andrew Lawson is a human rights and health and safety trainer and advisor, currently consulting to both the federal and Ontario governments. Since 1996, he has conducted extensive legal research in the areas of human rights and occupational health and safety law. He has worked in the people management business for over 25 years.

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