Understanding musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are common workplace injuries affecting the back, shoulders, neck, and arms, often caused by strain from awkward postures, repetitive tasks, or heavy lifting. These disorders represent one of the leading causes of disability and pain in workers and a significant source of employers’ compensation claims.
They don’t just affect the body—they can take a toll on mental health too. Chronic pain, limited mobility, and long recovery times can lead to frustration, stress, anxiety, and even depression, all of which have been proven to worsen physical conditions further.
When MSDs go unaddressed, the cycle of physical discomfort and mental stress can impact overall wellbeing, productivity, and workplace morale. That’s why early intervention and support—both physical and psychological—are key to a healthy, safe work environment.
Engage with an expert
Speak with one of our expert consultants to learn more about how you can prevent MSD injuries and illnesses to enhance the health, safety, and wellbeing of your workplace.
Prevent musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace
Risks often arise when job demands exceed a worker’s physical limits and proper ergonomics are overlooked. By identifying and eliminating risks before they cause MSD injuries, workplaces can better protect workers and create safer, healthier workplaces. Implementing an MSD prevention program and adopting policies and procedures to recognize, assess, control, and evaluate MSD hazards can assist in standardizing the approach to MSD prevention.
Our expert consultants can partner with you to assess ergonomic hazards, reduce physical strain, and implement effective stay-at-work and return-to-work strategies, so your team stays safe, healthy, and productive.
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MSD eLearning and resources
PSHSA experts have developed a variety of helpful resources and MSD-focused eLearning courses to support your prevention efforts.
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Ergonomics services
We offer a wide range of ergonomic services designed to meet your workplace health and safety needs, including assessments and consulting services for individuals, employers, and insurers across Ontario.
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Job demands descriptions
A job demands description outlines the full physical, cognitive, sensory, and psychological demands of a job, as well as the environmental conditions in which tasks are performed. These descriptions enable employers to match the demands of the job with the abilities of the worker.
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Featured resources
Preventing MSD: Workplace Responsibilities, Participation and Safety Culture
This guide is intended to help workplace parties understand their occupational health and safety responsibilities and the importance of participation and safety culture in musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) prevention.
Additional resources
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Musculoskeletal Disorders Fast FactGuides & Toolkits
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How Much Can You Lift?Guides & Toolkits
Engage with an expert
Speak with one of our expert consultants to learn more about how you can prevent MSD injuries and illnesses to enhance the health, safety, and wellbeing of your workplace.