Conference on MSD in the Transportation Sector; February 18th, 2009
The Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) and the Transportation Health & Safety Association of Ontario (THSAO) hosted a conference on the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the transportation sector. At the conference, results of a collaborative two and a half year research project involving six transportation companies -- two courier companies, three for-hire trucking companies, and one waste company -- were shared with attendees, and feasible and effective countermeasures that had been identified throughout the project were discussed.
Steve Mahoney, the Chair of the WSIB, opened the conference. He emphasized the importance of the contribution of research to the prevention of MSDs and that all industries must continue to focus initiatives on preventing injuries. The conference included presentations from researchers and guest speakers on how injuries occur, how injuries can happen from entering and exiting trucks, the implications of new Federal legislation, the perspective of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, and the business case for reducing MSD's.
Copies of these presentations are provided at the links below.
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Title
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Presenter
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Documents
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Video
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Conference opening
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Steve Mahoney (Chair of the WSIB)
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Mahoney
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How injuries Happen
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Mardy Frazer (Sandalwood Engineering & Ergonomics)
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Frazer
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Frazer
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Safe Entry & Exit from Tractor-Trailers and on Catwalks
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Matt Reid (University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute)
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Reed
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Reed
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Business Case for Reducing MSD's
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Prof. Vic Pakalnis (Queens University)
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Pakalnis
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Pakalnis
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Federal Legislation Implications
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Winston Eng (HRSDC)
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Eng
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Eng
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Ontario Ministry of Labour Perspective
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Anne Duffy (Ontario MOL)
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Duffy
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Duffy
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Prevention of MSDs: Ergonomics in the Transportation Sector; April 12th, 2007
A cross-stakeholder conference on the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Transportation sector was held on April 12th, 2007. The conference was co-sponsored by CRE-MSD and the Transportation Health and Safety Association of Ontario (THSAO). It brought together a multidisciplinary, international, expert panel to discuss state-of-the-art research and practices. Participants brought experiential, technical and regulatory knowledge to the discussion.
Little is known about the prevention of MSDs in transportation; what is known mostly relates to vibration and seating. Existing ergonomic programs have been developed for manufacturing (especially automotive), office settings, and for larger organizations. They do not match the situation in transportation where firms tend to be small, and activities occur irregularly from sitting for long periods of time to heavy manual materials handling.
Multiple perspectives were offered on: what processes are needed to help make change; what is economically and operationally feasible to change and implement; what risks are acceptable to workers; what are the attitudinal barriers; and what is achievable?
The Conference presentation materials, videos of the presentations, discussions and a synthesis are available below. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of all participants, CRE-MSD, THSAO or WSIB. Copyright is retained by the original authors. Materials may be used for educational and research purposes provided acknowledgement is given to the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD).