Ontario’s new guideline for preventing musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) was unveiled in October, coinciding with Global Ergonomics Month. The University of Waterloo’s Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) headed up the overhaul of the guideline, which was first established and last updated in 2006.

CRE-MSD says organizations will find current, size-specific content, resources and tools in the new guideline: Small businesses can consult the Quick Start Guideline to learn about MSD and do more prevention; medium to large businesses can look to the Basic Guideline to boost their MSD prevention through better problem solving; and large businesses can refer to the Comprehensive Guideline to support the roll out of programs to prevent MSD.

Resources and tools include downloadable templates and new ways to identify and control hazards.