Musculoskeletal Injuries

Safety level

Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs): a big term for a major type of workplace injury in Nova Scotia.

 What are MSIs? In short, they are injuries that involve our muscles and skeleton. In addition, they can affect tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves and blood vessels.

In Nova Scotia, MSIs are the most common type of workplace injury. In 2020, they represented 63% of all workplace injuries.Preventing MSIs begin with identifying the workplace hazards that cause them and making adjustments to the way the work is designed and carried out. Sometimes a simple change can make a big difference.

These injuries are commonly known as
-   Sprains and strains
-   Overexertion
-   Soft tissue
-   Repetitive strain  

MSI Prevention Guide

 

Our MSI prevention guide will help you every step of the way. Learn how to build awareness, identify hazards, assess risk, implement controls and assess the effectiveness of your action plan. You’ll soon be on your way to making your workplace safer for everyone.

Watch: Preventing Sprain and Strain Injuries in Your Workplace (Webinar Recording)

See also Tools for your industry.

Follow along with WCB Nova Scotia's Ergonomist, Shawn Budden, as he takes you through the guide, and offers easy tips on how to start making changes in your workplace today. 

Stats you should know

Learn more statistics about musculoskeletal injuries in our infographic.

Lifting and moving people in the health care industry is the greatest single source of time-loss workplace injury in Nova Scotia. Click here for more health care related resources and information.

Helpful Resources

Success Stories

Northside Community Guest Home
Halifax Regional School Board
MacLeod Group Health Service Limited
STELIA Aerospace North America

Industry Tip Sheets

Prolonged sitting
Prolonged Standing
Repetition
Overhead work
Vibration
Pinch Grip
Pushing-Pulling
Power Grip
Contact Stress
Duration
Awkward Posture
Physiological Changes
Cold Temperature
Lifting Lowering

Downloadable Posters

Pushing is better than pulling
Nose between toes, use your legs
There's a tool for that

Ergonomic Resources

Office Ergonomics Resource Guide
OH&S Risk Mapping Tool
Discomfort Survey
Workplace Inspection Checklist

 

Make the right call. Call 1-800-9Labour for workplace and public space safety issues, concerns and regulations. 1-800-952-2687 safetybranch@novascotia.ca
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Pushing is better than pulling. Helpful tips, like this one and more, are brought to you by Rod Stickman. Watch his video, then use the discussion guide to lead your team in your next workplace safety talk.

Back Protection Agents

Backs are the most common, and costly, of all body parts injured. And they are 100% preventable.

Become a Back Protection Agent