Musculoskeletal Injuries (MSIs)
Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) are the most common workplace injury in Nova Scotia.
On average, more than 60% of workplace injury claims that require time away from work are caused by MSIs. The good news is that many of these injuries can be prevented.
Employers have legal responsibility under the Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act (PDF) to provide a safe workplace. This involves identifying hazards (including ergonomic hazards), improving workplace conditions, and taking steps to reduce the risk of injuries.
Preventing MSIs benefits everyone. Workers are less likely to be injured, and employers can reduce lost time, improve productivity, and create healthier workplaces.
What are musculoskeletal injuries?
Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) involve our muscles and skeleton. They are injuries to soft tissues, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, and blood vessels. MSIs are often referred to as strains and sprains.
MSIs can develop when workers are exposed to ergonomic hazards such as
- Forceful exertion
- Repetitive movements
- Awkward postures
- Contact stress
- Vibration
Often, several of these hazards work together to increase the risk of injury. MSIs may result from a single incident or develop gradually over time.
Signs and symptoms of an MSI
Signs and symptoms can appear during an activity or afterward. Common signs and symptoms include:
- Pain
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Swelling
- Redness
- Difficulty moving a body part
Potential health effects
If left untreated, early signs and symptoms can develop into more serious conditions, including:
- Muscle strains — injuries caused by overstretching or tearing a muscle
- Tendinitis — inflammation or irritation of a tendon, the tissue that connects muscle to bone
- Carpal tunnel syndrome — pressure on a nerve in the wrist that can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand and forearm
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome — damage to nerves, blood vessels, and joints caused by repeated exposure to vibration from hand-held tools and equipment
Report signs and symptoms early
Employers should have a process for reporting MSIs so that workers can notify their supervisor, employer, or designated workplace first-aid provider when signs or symptoms occur.
Early reporting is important. When MSIs are identified and addressed early, workers can get the support they need sooner — and employers can take steps to prevent the condition from getting worse.
6 steps to preventing MSIs
Follow these 6 steps to prevent sprain and strain injuries in your workplace.
Tools and resources
- Use this OHS Risk Mapping Tool Kit to identify and control potential sources of MSI injury in your workplace.
- Follow this Inspection checklist to find out which tasks have the highest risks.
- Use this Discomfort Survey to connect with employees and uncover tasks causing discomfort
- Follow this Office Ergonomics Resource Guide to learn how your office space and desks can be improved.
Check out our webinars to learn more about MSIs
- Employer Webinar: Making Ergonomics Stick | WCB NS
- Learn: Simple, effective tools that help supervisors and workers spot and reduce ergonomic hazards.
- Risk Mapping Webinar | WCB NS
- Learn: What is risk mapping and how it can help to identify, assess, and prioritize workplace hazards
- Prevention: The Value of Training - Beyond the Checklist | WCB NS
- Learn: A training framework using Plan-Do-Check-Act, hazard assessments, and safe work procedures
- Preventing Sprain and Strain Injuries in Your Workplace | WCB NS
- Learn: What a musculoskeletal injury (MSI) is and how to identify MSI hazards and risk factors