Safety Matters

by guest blogger, Matt Ross, Ergonomist Process Leader, WCB Nova Scotia 

October is Global Ergonomics Month. It is an international outreach for promoting human-centered design through the science, application and profession of Ergonomics/Human Factors. 

Ergonomics/Human Factors is the discipline that is focused on optimizing system performance and human well-being. Simply put, “fitting the job to the worker.” This is achieved through proactively designing work and work systems that improve efficiency, productivity, health, safety and comfort. Ergonomics is ultimately good for business and good for people.

In Nova Scotia in 2016, Musculoskeletal Injuries (MSIs), more commonly referred to as sprains and strains, accounted for almost 64 per cent of all time-loss injuries. The vast majority of these injuries were to the back and shoulders and were the results of lifting.  Often the risk for MSIs can be reduced or eliminated through simple changes. The best place to start looking for ideas for those changes is through conversations with your colleagues and employees.

For more information about the Ergonomics/Human Factors profession and to learn more about Global Ergonomics Month, visit these websites:


International Ergonomics Association 
Association of Canadian Ergonomists