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What is a "musculoskeletal injury" or "MSI"?
WorkSafeBC defines MSI as an injury or disorder of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, blood vessels or related soft tissue including a sprain, strain and inflammation, that may be caused or aggravated by work. These injuries are sometimes called repetitive strain or repetitive motion injuries, cumulative trauma disorder, or occupational overuse syndrome.
Why are MSIs an important issue for the BCNU?
Musculoskeletal Injury is the number one cause of injury among healthcare workers according to WorkSafeBC statistics. From 2005-2009, almost 50% of injury claims in healthcare were caused by overexertion. Patient handling activities cause most of the musculoskeletal injuries among caregivers. These injuries result in hundreds of thousands of days lost from work and WorkSafeBC claim costs in the tens of millions of dollars.
What is required for prevention?
Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention (MSIP) programs should be established in all worksites. The risk of MSI to workers must be eliminated or, if that is not practicable, minimized. A good MSIP program contains tools and direction for recognizing early signs and symptoms of MSIs, outlines reporting procedures, and establishes participatory processes to implement control measures and evaluate their effectiveness.
Early signs and symptoms of MSIs should be reported promptly so that changes might be made in the workplace.
The BCNU OH&S department works with OH&S committee members and stewards to ensure programs are in place for the prevention of MSI's. The employer is required to provide education on recognizing the early warning signs of MSI and the prevention of injury. All of this must be done in consultation with the joint OH&S committee.
For further information on prevention of MSI or RSI (repetitive strain injury) please check the following links:
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