HAMILTON, ON (December 12, 2008) –The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has developed two new e-courses to help increase awareness of and prevent workplace musculoskeletal disorders: Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): Awareness and Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): Prevention.
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): Awareness is a free twenty-minute course that covers the risks associated with repetitive strain or motion injuries - collectively known as musculoskeletal injuries.
Work-related musculoskeletal injuries are the most frequent type of lost-time injury and are the largest source of lost-time worker compensation costs in Canada. The causes of these injuries are a result of prolonged work involving repetitive movements, forceful movements and awkward body postures. Musculoskeletal disorders are painful and often disabling injuries that mainly affect the wrists, back, legs, shoulders, neck, muscles and joints.
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs): Prevention covers the risk factors of MSDs in more depth, as well as introducing some of the many ergonomic controls that can help prevent these injuries including: ergonomic aspects of the workstation, work organization, the work environment and recommended safe work practices. The course shows how injuries and illnesses related to poor ergonomic conditions can be prevented by making the workplace fit the physical and mental ability of each individual worker.
This course is for managers, supervisors, workers, occupational health nurses, occupational therapists, chiropractors, health and safety representatives and health and safety professionals.
All e-courses by CCOHS are available in English and French. They are developed by experts in the field and reviewed by labour, employer and government representatives. There are quizzes throughout and a certificate of completion is issued upon passing the exam. Case studies, quizzes, and an "ask a question" option are also featured.
More information about the courses, pricing and how to register is available on the CCOHS website: http://www.ccohs.ca/products/courses/msd_awareness/and http://www.ccohs.ca/products/courses/msd_prevent/.