Musculoskeletal injuries time-loss claims costs B.C. over $2 billion in five years

MSIs are pervasive across multiple industries, but most frequently impact workers in health care, retail, local government, restaurants, public schools, and trades, according to WorkSafeBC.

How to prevent musculoskeletal injuries in the workplace?

Now, WorkSafeBC is calling on employers to put more focus on preventing MSIs from happening. 

The agency noted that employers must conduct risk assessments for MSIs in their workplace and eliminate or minimize the risks. Employers must also educate and train workers about MSI risks in the workplace.

“Integrating MSI prevention into occupational health and safety programs is essential,” says Prpic. “Employers should identify tasks that may pose a risk of MSIs, such as repetitive motions, heavy lifting, or awkward movements, and then determine how these risks can be mitigated.”

Employers should also review records – including first aid records, injury claims, and the results of incident investigations – make workplace observations and speak with workers who perform the job.