Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) — sprains, strains, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and back injuries — account for more lost-time WSIB claims in Ontario than any other injury category. They cost Ontario businesses hundreds of millions of dollars annually in direct and indirect costs, and they are largely preventable. Under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers have a general duty to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of workers — and ergonomic hazards are no exception. Whether your workers lift heavy materials on a construction site, perform repetitive assembly tasks in a plant, or spend long hours at a computer, the obligation to identify and control ergonomic risk factors applies to you.
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Conduct a formal ergonomic risk assessment to identify tasks involving forceful exertion, awkward postures, repetitive motions, contact stress, or whole-body vibration — these are the primary MSD risk factors recognized by Ontario's MOL
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Use the hierarchy of controls: engineering solutions (adjustable workstations, lift-assist equipment, tool redesign) come first, followed by administrative controls (job rotation, rest breaks, reduced shift duration) before relying on PPE
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Ensure workers receive training on MSD risk factors, early symptom recognition, and proper body mechanics — workers who report early symptoms before they become injuries are your best early warning system
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Implement a written MSD prevention program that includes hazard identification, risk assessment procedures, control measures, and an early reporting and accommodation process
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Manual material handling — lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying — is the most common MSD source in Ontario workplaces; establish maximum weight limits, provide mechanical assists, and train on proper technique for loads above 10 kg
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For office and computer-based workers, workstation ergonomics matter: monitor height, keyboard and mouse positioning, chair adjustability, and regular micro-breaks reduce cumulative strain injuries significantly
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Track near-misses, first aid incidents, and early discomfort reports by body part and job task — this data drives targeted ergonomic interventions and demonstrates due diligence to the MOL
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