What do effective prevention measures look like?

The hierarchy of controls helps employers in selecting and developing effective risk control measures for MSI prevention. Use it as a guide to eliminate or reduce exposure to MSI risk factors. First and foremost, asking if the task needs to be done is an important starting point.

Eliminate ----| Can we eliminate the task?

For example: Eliminating the need for manual handling by having necessary liquids piped into a facility rather than carried in barrels.

Substitution ---| Can the task be redesigned or done differently?

For example: Working with distributors to reduce the weight of the materials/packages being delivered.

Engineering ----| Can tools, devices or equipment be used to reduce the risk factors?

For example, using a lifting device to reduce the degree of manual handling required.

Administration ---| Can education, procedures, job rotation* be used?

For example, a maintenance program for equipment to ensure lifting equipment and carts are well maintained thereby reducing the force required to perform manual handling activities such as lifting, pushing/pulling.

*Job rotation inherently increases the risk of spreading COVID-19, and will need to be assessed and potentially replaced or modified.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ---| Can appropriate and well-fitting PPE be selected to help reduce exposure to COVID-19?

For example, providing appropriate footwear to reduce slipping which can increase the force required when performing pushing/pulling activities

Read more

• Ergonomics and thriving amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
• Is COVID-19 increasing the risk of MSI in your workplace?
• Events and webinars

We're here to help

For resources, please visit worksafebc.com/ergonomics. If you have questions about ergonomics, human factors or need help managing the risk of MSI in your workplace, please contact us at AskAnErgo@worksafebc.com