INDUSTRY DRIVEN, INDUSTRY FOCUSED PAGE | 2
INTRODUCTION
Exposure to musculoskeletal disorder (MSD)
hazards was identified as the top risk facing
workers in the food and beverage wholesale
distribution industry. This was the result of frontline
worker and management representatives sharing
real-world data and firsthand experiences in a risk
assessment workshop facilitated by Workplace
Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS).
This top ranking by workshop participants is
supported by evidence from the Workplace Safety
and Insurance Board (WSIB) injury data from 2020
and 2021. During those years, the most common
reported lost-time injury (LTI) in the food and
beverage wholesale distribution industry was due
to overexertion—especially while lifting, pulling,
and pushing. These are all tasks related to manual
material handling.
Don Patten, Specialized Consultant (Ergonomics)
explains that the negative impact an MSD has on
a worker's life goes far beyond aches and pains.
"MSDs cause pain and discomfort in the affected
area (e.g., knees, back, shoulders), making it difficult
to perform basic tasks," says Patten. "This leads to
decreased productivity at work or absences, as well
as a reduced quality of life outside of work."
When identified early and treated, workers have
a much better chance of recovering from an MSD.
However, the longer the injury lingers without
treatment and without adjustments made to the
work environment, the likelihood of an injured
worker getting back to full capacity diminishes.
"Long-term effects include chronic pain and
permanent damage to muscles, tendons, and nerves
which can lead to long-term disability," says Patten.
"
"
"Participating in this
workshop expanded my
perspective, encouraging me
to consider issues beyond
the local context. It gave me
insight into the similarity of
the challenges that we face
in the industry."
—Alicia Rodriguez Boularte,
SHE Team Leader, Nestlé Canada Inc.
MSDs are injuries of the
muscles, nerves, tendons,
ligaments, joints, cartilage,
and spinal discs with
symptoms including pain,
tingling, and numbness.
MSDs can be caused by a
specific incident such as
lifting something too heavy;
however, more often they
occur slowly as workers
are exposed to hazards
repeatedly over time.
