BULLETIN

• Issued: January 31, 2012
• Content last reviewed: January 2012
• PDF Version [ 43 Kb / 1 page | Download Adobe Reader ]
• See also: Backgrounder

NEWS

Ontario will blitz workplaces across the province looking for hazards involving manual materials handling that can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

In February 2012, Ministry of Labour inspectors will target workplaces in the construction, health care, industrial and mining sectors.

They will focus on the manual lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling and carrying of materials that can lead to MSDs such as injuries to muscles, tendons, nerves and spinal discs. They will also check on the handling of clients in health care workplaces.

The blitz is part of the province’s Safe at Work Ontario strategy to ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations.

QUOTE

“We are taking the prevention of these disorders very seriously, not only because they are so commonplace but also because they are so debilitating. Employers must identify the hazards and then work with the employees to eliminate those hazards. Safe and healthy working environments are in everyone’s best interest.”
— Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Labour

QUICK FACTS

• In 2010, MSDs accounted for 42 per cent of all WSIB lost-time injuries, 40 per cent of new claim costs and 43 per cent of days lost at work in Ontario.
• Since 2008, ministry inspectors have conducted more than 266,000 field visits, 36 inspection blitzes and issued more than 426,000 compliance orders.

LEARN MORE

Blitz Targets Musculoskeletal Disorders

Learn more about MSDs/ergonomics

Read more about Ontario’s Safe at Work Ontario strategy to improve workplace safety.

Learn about the ministry’s results of the MSDs blitz in the Fall of 2010.