Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is a very long name for a group of common,
painful injuries and ailments that can affect the muscles, nerves and tendons
mostly in the back, legs, shoulders, neck, wrists, hands and joints.
Work-related musculoskeletal injuries cause pain and suffering for thousands of
workers every year and are the largest source of lost-time worker compensation
costs in Canada. These injuries can be caused by work involving repetitive
motion, forceful movements, and fixed or awkward body postures that are held
for long periods of time. MSDs can progress into crippling disorders that can
prevent workers from working or leading normal lives.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has released two
new e-courses to help increase awareness of and prevent MSDs. The two e-courses
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): Awareness and Musculoskeletal Disorders
(MSDs): Prevention help managers, workers, healthcare practitioners,
chiropractors, and health and safety professionals learn how to prevent MSDs.

The free, twenty-minute Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): Awareness course
covers the risks associated with repetitive strain or motion injuries -
collectively known as MSDs.

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): Prevention covers the risk factors of MSDs in
more depth, as well as introducing ergonomic controls that can help prevent
these injuries. These include: ergonomic aspects of the workstation, work
organization, the work environment and recommended safe work practices. The
course shows how injuries and illnesses related to poor ergonomic conditions
can be prevented by making the workplace and demands of the job fit the
capabilities of each individual worker.

All CCOHS courses are developed by subject specialists in the field, and
reviewed by representatives from labour, employers and government to ensure the
content and approach are unbiased and credible.

More info

AplusA-online.de - Source: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety