Step 5: Train and Educate Workers

This is Step 5 of a six-step approach to preventing musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs). Each step builds on the one before it to help employers identify hazards, assess risks, implement controls, and create safer workplaces.

This step focuses on ensuring workers have the knowledge and skills needed to identify hazards, use controls correctly, and work safely.

Training and education support effective MSI prevention

Training and education work together to support MSI prevention. Training helps workers use controls correctly and perform tasks safely. Education and awareness help workers recognize ergonomic hazards, understand how MSIs develop, and know how to report concerns.

Both should be provided to all workers, including supervisors and managers, and reinforced on an ongoing basis.

Training workers on controls and safe work procedures

Training should be provided during orientation and whenever new or updated controls, equipment, or safe work procedures are introduced.

Ongoing supervision can help ensure controls are being used correctly and consistently.

Training should cover:

• How to use new controls, equipment, or procedures safely
• How to recognize when a control is not working as intended
• How and where to report concerns or provide feedback

Ensure everyone receives training

Anyone affected by a new control, procedure, or equipment change should receive training, including:

• Workers
• Supervisors and managers
• Contractors
• Part-time and seasonal workers
• New hires and transferred workers
• Workers returning from extended leave
• Workers on all shifts

Follow training best practices

Effective training should:

• Be interactive, using methods such as face-to-face instruction and hands-on practice 
• Be job-specific and relevant to the work being performed 
• Be delivered by a competent person 
• Include materials in languages spoken by workers, where appropriate 
• Allow workers to demonstrate they understand the training 
• Be documented, including who was trained, when, and on what topic 
• Confirm workers can safely perform the task after training
• Include follow-up to ensure controls are being used correctly and comfortably

Example: Effective training in action

The following example shows how training can support the successful implementation of a new control measure.

Job task: Patient transfer

Ergonomic hazards: Lifting, reaching, awkward postures

Control measure: A sit-to-stand lift was introduced to reduce the risk of injury when moving patients from a sitting to a standing position.

Training included:

• Safe work procedures for the equipment
• Patient mobility and cognitive considerations
• Equipment inspection procedures
• Equipment storage requirements
• Case studies and practical examples to reinforce learning

Education and awareness

Education and awareness activities should begin during orientation and continue on a regular basis.

Workers and supervisors need to understand how MSIs develop, how to recognize ergonomic hazards, and what to do when concerns arise. Education and awareness activities should involve everyone in the organization.

Education programs should cover

• What MSIs are and how they develop
• Common ergonomic hazards, including force, repetition, awkward postures, task duration, contact stress, and vibration
• Signs and symptoms of MSIs and the importance of early reporting
• How to report ergonomic hazards, discomfort, and injuries
• What workers can expect after a report is made

Effective ways to build awareness

Consider the following approaches:

• Establish an MSI prevention team that includes front-line workers, supervisors, JOHSC members, and Human Resources representatives. The team can help drive education and awareness activities, support continuous improvement, and ensure worker perspectives are represented.
• Hold regular toolbox talks and safety meetings focused on MSI topics, such as ergonomic hazards, recent near misses, or new controls. Keep discussions relevant, practical, and interactive.
• Review industry best practices and prevention resources to identify ways to make work safer and improve your MSI prevention program.

Involving Workers

Workers play an important role in training and awareness activities.

• Have workers lead toolbox talks where appropriate
• Ask workers whether training and awareness materials reflect the hazards they experience on the job
• Gather feedback from workers after training to understand how controls are working in practice
• Encourage workers to report concerns or difficulties as they arise

Key performance indicators

• Percentage of workers who have completed MSI training and education sessions
• Number of toolbox talks or safety meetings focused on MSI topics each year
• Percentage of workers trained on each new control or safe work procedure
• Percentage of supervisors who have received MSI-specific training
• Number of ergonomic hazard or symptom reports received