Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores
OSHA's Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores provides practical recommendations to help grocery store employers and employees reduce the number and severity of injuries in their workplaces. Many of the work-related injuries and illnesses experienced by grocery store workers are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as back injuries and sprains or strains that may develop from various factors, including lifting, repetitive motion disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, or injuries resulting from overexertion. MSDs may also be caused partly or wholly by factors outside of work.

MSD Job Title/Task:
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:GuidelineYear:
Source:Occupational Safety & Health AdministrationView Source Details
Location: Ontario

OSH Answers Bottle Recycling Department of a Brewery
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety provides an archive of questions and answers about the type of work done in the bottle recycling department of a brewery as well as the risk factors involved in this type of work.

MSD Job Title/Task:
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Workplace Best PracticeYear:1997-2005
Source:Canadian Centre for Occupational HealthView Source Details
Location: Ontario

OSH Answers Hotel Housekeeping
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety website features a number of frequently asked questions and answers about hotel housekeeping. Questions range from what type of work that is done in the hotel houskeeping to how improved work practices can reduce the risk of RMI.

MSD Job Title/Task:Housekeeping
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Workplace Best PracticeYear:1997-2005
Source:Canadian Centre for Occupational HealthView Source Details
Location: Ontario

Reducing Manual Pot Washing with a Pot Washing Machine
This website features a case study on pot washing which includes sections on the problem, solution and the impact of pot washing. The goal to assess the risk factors involved for musculoskeletal injury with doing this type of work.

MSD Job Title/Task:Food
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:GuidelineYear:2003
Source:Occupational Health & Safety Agency for Healthcare in British ColumbiaView Source Details
Location: British Columbia

Ohio Bureau of Worker's Compensation -Ergonomics Best Practices for Public Employers
This report shows how publc employers can reduce the number of injuries in their workplace with good safety-process management . Commitment from the managers and elected officials is critical to providing proper safety management and preventing claims. In addition, employee involvement and accountability systems are required to ensure a safe, healthy work environment.

MSD Job Title/Task:
Topic:MSD Prevention
Document Type:Workplace Best PracticeYear:n/a
Source:Ohio Bureau of Worker's Compensation View Source Details
Location: Ontario

Health & Safety in the Home Care Environment
This handbook is designed for all workers that are involved in the delivery of home care and the organizations that employ them. It provides information on ways to reduce risk, prevent injury, and promote worker safety in the home care environment and to stress the importance of the Internal Responsibility System (IRS).

MSD Job Title/Task:Home Care
Topic:MSD Prevention
Document Type:Researched Best PracticeYear:January 2003
Source:Ontario Safety Association for Community and HealthcareView Source Details
Location: Ontario

Preventing Injuries to Bar Staff
This pamphlet contains general information about how repetitive work at awkward postures can contribute to bartenders suffering musculoskeletal injuries and provides tips to reduce awkward posture in order to reduce the risk of MSD's.

MSD Job Title/Task:Food
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:
Source:Worksafe BCView Source Details
Location: British Columbia

Preventing Injuries to Dishwashers
This pamphlet contains general information about how repetitve work at awkward positions can put dishwashers at risk of suffering musculoskeletal injuries and provides tips on reducing awkward posture to reduce the risk of MSD's.

MSD Job Title/Task:
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:
Source:Worksafe BCView Source Details
Location: British Columbia

Preventing Injuries to Desk Agents
This pamphlet contains general information about how repetitve work at awkward positions can put desk agents at risk of suffering musculoskeletal injuries and provides tips on reducing awkward posture to reduce the risk of MSD's.

MSD Job Title/Task:
Topic:Manual Materials Handling Design - Workstation
Document Type:Year:
Source:Worksafe BCView Source Details
Location: British Columbia

Preventing Injuries to Kitchen Staff
This pamphlet contains general information on how repetitve work combined with awkward postures put kitchen staff at greater risk of suffering musculoskeletal injuries and provides tips on reducing awkward postures in order to reduce the risk of MSD's,

MSD Job Title/Task:Food
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:
Source:Worksafe BCView Source Details
Location: British Columbia

Preventing Injuries to Handling Luggage
This pamphlet contains general information on how repetitve work, awkward postures, and high muscle forces due to handling luggage from car trunks can contribute to musculoskeletal injuries. It also provides tips on reducing awkward postures and high muscle forces for handling luggage.

MSD Job Title/Task:
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:
Source:Worksafe BCView Source Details
Location: British Columbia

Preventing Injuries to Room Attendants
This pamphlet contains information on repetitive work combined with awkard posture and poor lifting technique can put room attendants at risk of suffereing musculoskeletal injuries and provides tips on reducing awkward postures, and proper lifting techniques in order to reduce the risk of MSD's.

MSD Job Title/Task:Housekeeping
Topic:Manual Materials Handling Design - Tools
Document Type:Year:
Source:Worksafe BCView Source Details
Location: British Columbia

Preventing Injuries to Servers
This pamphlet contains information on how repetitive work, awkward posture, and high muscle forces that servers are exposed to can put them at risk of suffering musculoskeletal injuries. It provides tips on reducing awkward posture and high muscle forces for servers to reduce the risk of MSD's.

MSD Job Title/Task:Food Delivery (Waiter/ress)
Topic:Manual Materials Handling Design - Task
Document Type:Year:
Source:Worksafe BCView Source Details
Location: British Columbia

Preventing Injuries When Serving Banquets
This pamphlet contains information on how repetitive work, awkward posture, and high muscle forces associated with serving banquets can put servers at risk of suffering musculoskeletal injuries. It provides tips on reducing awkward posture and high muscle forces to reduce the risk of MSD's.

MSD Job Title/Task:Food Delivery (Waiter/ress)
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:
Source:Worksafe BCView Source Details
Location: British Columbia

Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores
This guidebook contains information on how to assess ergonomic risks in grocery stores and how to implement, and evaluate interventions aimed at reducing such risks. It also presents musculoskeletal hazards present when working at the front-end (Checkout, Bagging, and Carry-out), bakery section, meats and deli section, produce section, or when stocking shelves. It also provides interventions involving workplace design, tool and equipment, and reducing awkward postures.

MSD Job Title/Task: Supermarket Checkout
Topic:Manual Materials Handling Design - Workstation
Document Type:Year:
Source:Occupational Safety and Health AdministrationView Source Details
Location: British Columbia

Working Safer and Easier: For Janitors, Custodians, and Housekeepers (1 of 9)
This series of posters illustrate possible controls janitors, custodians, and housekeepers can use to decrease the risk of MSD's. This poster focuses mainly on safe ergonomic practices that can be used when sweeping or mopping floors.

MSD Job Title/Task:Custodian
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:
Source:Cal/OSHAView Source Details
Location:

Working Safer and Easier: For Janitors, Custodians, and Housekeepers (2 of 9)
This series of posters illustrate possible controls janitors, custodians, and housekeepers can use to decrease the risk of MSD's. This poster focuses on safe ergonomic practices that can be used when handling mop buckets.

MSD Job Title/Task:Custodian
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:
Source:Cal/OSHAView Source Details
Location:

Working Safer and Easier: For Janitors, Custodians, and Housekeepers (3 of 9)
This series of posters illustrate possible controls janitors, custodians, and housekeepers can use to decrease the risk of MSD's. This poster mainly focuses on safe ergonomic practices when cleaning bathrooms.

MSD Job Title/Task:Custodian
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:
Source:Cal/OSHAView Source Details
Location:

Working Safer and Easier: For Janitors, Custodians, and Housekeepers (4 of 9)
This series of posters illustrate possible controls janitors, custodians, and housekeepers can use to decrease the risk of MSD's. This poster mainly focuses on safe ergonomic practices when cleaning hotel rooms.

MSD Job Title/Task:Custodian
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:
Source:Cal/OSHAView Source Details
Location:

Working Safer and Easier: For Janitors, Custodians, and Housekeepers (5 of 9)
This series of posters illustrate possible controls janitors, custodians, and housekeepers can use to decrease the risk of MSD's. This poster focuses mainly on safe ergonomic practices when handling garbage.

MSD Job Title/Task:Custodian
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:
Source:Cal/OSHAView Source Details
Location:

Working Safer and Easier: For Janitors, Custodians, and Housekeepers (6 of 9)
This series of posters illustrate possible controls janitors, custodians, and housekeepers can use to decrease the risk of MSD's. This poster focuses on avoiding tripping and slipping hazards.

MSD Job Title/Task:Custodian
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:
Source:Cal/OSHAView Source Details
Location:

Working Safer and Easier: For Janitors, Custodians, and Housekeepers (7 of 9)
This series of posters illustrate possible controls janitors, custodians, and housekeepers can use to decrease the risk of MSD's. This poster focuses on safety when handling chemicals and what to do during a medical emergency.

MSD Job Title/Task:Custodian
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:
Source:Cal/OSHAView Source Details
Location:

Working Safer and Easier: For Janitors, Custodians, and Housekeepers (8 of 9)
This series of posters illustrate possible controls janitors, custodians, and housekeepers can use to decrease the risk of MSD's. This poster focuses on safety equipment that should be worn.

MSD Job Title/Task:Custodian
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:
Source:Cal/OSHAView Source Details
Location:

Working Safer and Easier: For Janitors, Custodians, and Housekeepers (9 of 9)
This series of posters illustrate possible controls janitors, custodians, and housekeepers can use to decrease the risk of MSD's. This poster focuses on workers rights and safety protocols when facing a health a safety concern.

MSD Job Title/Task:Custodian
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:
Source:Cal/OSHAView Source Details
Location:

Teen Worker Safety in Restaurants
This e-tool provides information on reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders associated with dishwashing and clearing tables by presenting work practices that can reduce reaching and overhead work, as well changes in tools such as providing bussing carts and handling bags (garbage bags) with wheels, .

MSD Job Title/Task:Food
Topic:Manual Materials Handling Design - Workstation
Document Type:Year:
Source:Occupational Safety and Health Administration - U S Department of LabourView Source Details
Location:

Teen Worker Safety in Restaurants: Cooking Strains & Sprains
This e-tool provides information on reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders associated with cooking by presenting work practices that can reduce prolonged standing and reaching.

MSD Job Title/Task:Food
Topic:Manual Materials Handling MSD Prevention
Document Type:Year:
Source:OSHA - US Department of LabourView Source Details
Location:

Teen Worker Safety in Restaurants: Drive-Thru Strains & Sprains
This e-tool provides information on reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders associated with working at a drive-thru by presenting work practices that can reduce awkward postures, as well changes in the workstation design,

MSD Job Title/Task:Food Services
Topic:Design - Workstation Design - Workstation
Document Type:Year:
Source:UD Department of LabourView Source Details
Location:

Teen Worker Safety in Restaurants: Serving Strains & Sprains
This e-tool provides information on reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders that servers suffer from by presenting work practices that can reduce awkward postures and high muscle forces.

MSD Job Title/Task:Food Services
Topic:Manual Materials Handling Design - Workstation
Document Type:Year:
Source:UD Department of LabourView Source Details
Location:

Teen Worker Safety in Restaurants: Food Preparation Strains & Sprains
This e-tool provides information on reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders associated with food preparation by presenting work practices that can reduce reaching and heavy lifting, prolonged standing, and repetitive motion, as well as changes in workplace design and changes in the task performed.

MSD Job Title/Task:Food Preparation
Topic:Manual Materials Handling Design - Workstation
Document Type:Year:
Source:UD Department of LabourView Source Details
Location:

Teen Worker Safety in Restaurants: Delivery Strains & Sprains
This e-tool provides information on potential risks involved in food delivery and also how to reduce the risk of MSD's by introducing proper lifting techniques and providing tips on how to reduce manual materials handling.

MSD Job Title/Task:Food Preparation
Topic:Manual Materials Handling Design - Workstation
Document Type:Year:
Source:UD Department of LabourView Source Details
Location:

Safety and Health Tips for Catering Staff
A section of this booklet provides information on how to prevent sprains and strains in the catering industry by providing recommended practices that can help reduce hand and arm work.

MSD Job Title/Task:Food Preparation
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:
Source:WorkSafe/Department of Consumer and Employment ProtectionView Source Details
Location:

Preventing back pain and other aches and pains to kitchen and food service staff
This leaflet looks at the risk of pains and strains in food service staff and provides recommendation on how to reduce the risk of MSD's in tasks such as dishwashing, manual washing, pot washing, liftiing and carrying pots, preparing food, storing supplies, cleaning, and removing waste.

MSD Job Title/Task:Food Food Preparation
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:2006
Source:Health and Safety ExecutiveView Source Details
Location:

Control of Ergonomic Hazards in Commercial Drycleaning
The Factsheet describes the cause of Musculo-Skeletal disorders in drycleaning workers. It provides recommendations on controls which can help reduce the risk of MSD's in tasks such as transferring garments, using multipress stations, working at shirt pressing stations, and bagging garments.

MSD Job Title/Task:
Topic:Design - Workstation
Document Type:Year:1998
Source:NIOSHView Source Details
Location:

Work Smarter, Not Just Harder : For small businesses - Dry Cleaners
This poster briefly illustrates how proper lifting, reducing awkward postures, using the right tool, and wearing appropriate footwear can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders for dryclean workers.

MSD Job Title/Task:
Topic:MSD Prevention
Document Type:Year:
Source:Cal/OSHAView Source Details
Location:

Work Smarter, Not Just Harder : For small businesses - Auto Repair
This poster briefly illustrates how proper lifting, reducing awkward postures, and using the right tools can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders for people working in an auto repair garage.

MSD Job Title/Task:
Topic:MSD Prevention
Document Type:Year:
Source:Cal/OSHAView Source Details
Location:

Work Smarter, Not Just Harder : For small businesses - Child Care Providers
This poster briefly illustrates how using back support, using proper lifting technique, avoiding awkward postures, and reducing the load can help prevent musculoskeletal disorders among child care providers.

MSD Job Title/Task:Childcare
Topic:MSD Prevention
Document Type:Year:
Source:Cal/OSHAView Source Details
Location:

Work Smarter, Not Just Harder : For small businesses - Cosmetology
This poster illustrates how avoiding awkward postures and using the right tools can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders among those working in hair salons.

MSD Job Title/Task:Childcare
Topic:MSD Prevention
Document Type:Year:
Source:Cal/OSHAView Source Details
Location:

Work Smarter, Not Just Harder : For small businesses - Landscaping
This poster illustrates how teamwork, proper lifting techniques, utilizing the right tool, avoiding awkward postures, and proper maintenance of tools can help reduce the risk of msuculoskeletal disorders among landscapers.

MSD Job Title/Task:Landscaping
Topic:MSD Prevention
Document Type:Year:
Source:Cal/OSHAView Source Details
Location:

Work Smarter, Not Just Harder : For small businesses - Retail/Wholesale
This poster illustrates how utilizing proper lifting techniques, avoiding awkward postures, keeping the work place clean, and using the right tools can help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders among retail workers.

MSD Job Title/Task:
Topic:MSD Prevention
Document Type:Year:
Source:Cal/OSHAView Source Details
Location:

MSI PREVENTION BULLETIN 5: Floor Mopping
This Bulletin focuses on specific floor mopping tasks that put custodians at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. It provides MSD hazards and solutions to tasks such as clearing the area to be mopped, wet mopping the floor area, wringing out the mop, and emptying the mop bucket.

MSD Job Title/Task:Custodian/Housekeeping Housekeeping
Topic:Design - Tools Design - Task MSD Prevention
Document Type:Year:
Source:WorkSafeBC / Workers Compensation Board of British ColumbiaView Source Details
Location: British Columbia

MSI PREVENTION BULLETIN 7: Floor Cleaning Machines
This Bulletin focuses on the use of specific floor cleaning machines and how they may contribute to the risk of custodians and housekeepers developing musculoskeletal disorders. It provides MSD hazards and solutions to tasks involving the use of vacuum cleaners, and polishers/floor scrubers.

MSD Job Title/Task:Custodian Housekeeping
Topic:Design - Task Design - Tools MSD Prevention
Document Type:Year:
Source:WorkSafeBC / Workers Compensation Board of British ColumbiaView Source Details
Location: British Columbia

Working Safer and Easier: For Janitors, Custodians, and Housekeepers (Guidebook)
This guidebook produced by the California Occupational Safety and Health Association concerns heath and safety issues that janitors, custodians, and housekeepers face. It provides some general information on workplace hazards and how to prevent them as well as some specific information on hazards and solutions concerning specific tasks such as moving barrels/carts, emptying office trash cans, lifting garbage from a barrel, dumping trash bags, etc...

MSD Job Title/Task:Custodian
Topic:Manual Materials Handling Design - Tools
Document Type:Year:
Source:Cal/OSHAView Source Details
Location:

A Clean Sweep
The purpose of this guide is to show ways of making custodial work safer and easier so that the risks of sprain and strain injuries are reduced. Tasks such as handling water pails & buckets, cleaning walls, wiping and dusting, sweeping, moving barrels, carts, and furniture, moppping, shoveling, vacuuming, floor polishing, and handling garbage are all discussed in this guide.

MSD Job Title/Task:Custodian
Topic:Manual Materials Handling MSD Prevention
Document Type:Year:2006
Source:Education Safety Association of OntarioView Source Details
Location: Ontario

Musculoskeletal Disorders and Work Organisation in the European Clothing Industry
This report presents a review of musculoskeletal disorders in the European clothing industry, including scientific data collected about musculoskeletal disorders. It also looks at organizational changes in the sector with respect to health and safety issues. Available from the Health and Safety Department of the European Trade Union Institute's web site, Health and Safety at Work

MSD Job Title/Task:
Topic:MSD Prevention
Document Type:Technical PublicationYear:1998
Source:European Trade Union Institute, Education and Health and Safety Health and Safety Department View Source Details
Location: Ontario

Food Services Safety Video
Food Services Safety Video. This video will assist supervisors, managers and JHSC in the operation of an effective safety program for facilities that have food services. The video also covers slips and falls, cuts and injuries and musculoskeletal injuries.

MSD Job Title/Task:Food
Topic: MSD Prevention
Document Type:VideoYear:2007
Source:Education Safety Association of OntarioView Source Details
Location: Ontario

Food Services Injury Prevention
Food Services Injury Prevention. The purpose of this resource booklet is to assist supervisors, managers and JHSC in the management of an effective safety program for the educational facility that has Food Service facilities. Covers the topic of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) prevention.

MSD Job Title/Task:Food
Topic: MSD Prevention
Document Type:BookletYear:2006
Source:Education Safety Association of OntarioView Source Details
Location: Ontario

Ergonomic Tips for Dietary Staff
Ergonomic Tips for Dietary Staff. This fact sheet assists workers, supervisors and managers and members of the JHSC in institutional kitchens become aware of ergonomic solutions to real and potential problems in their workplaces.

MSD Job Title/Task:Dietary Staff
Topic:MSD Prevention Manual Materials Handling Design - Task Heat Stress
Document Type:Fact sheetYear:2006
Source:Ontario Safety Association for Community and HealthcareView Source Details
Location: Ontario

Ergonomic Guidelines for Laundry Workers, Supervisors and Managers
Ergonomic Guidelines for Laundry Workers, Supervisors and Managers. This fact sheet identifies potential hazards and provides suggestions on workplace changes to help reduce these problems.

MSD Job Title/Task:Laundry
Topic:MSD Prevention Manual Materials Handling Design - Task Design - Workstation Heat Stress Standing
Document Type:Fact sheetYear:2006
Source:Ontario Safety Association for Community and HealthcareView Source Details
Location: Ontario

The Ergonomics of Lift Trucks
The Ergonomics of Lift Trucks. This technical report highlights research that links physical design of the lift truck, how the design negatively impacts the operator, and how this mismatch results in an increased number of accidents/injuries. Various design improvements suggested in the literature and/or currently being implemented by different manufacturers is discussed.

MSD Job Title/Task:Forklift Operator
Topic:Design - Vehicle MSD Prevention
Document Type:GuidelineYear:
Source:Pulp and Paper Health and Safety AssociationView Source Details
Location: Ontario

MSI PREVENTION BULLETIN 3: Bed Making and Cleaning in Health Care
This bulletin focuses on awkward postures associated with bed making and cleaning in health care. To reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders this bulletin provides recommendations on proper lifting and cleaning techniques when making and cleaning mattresses.

MSD Job Title/Task:Custodian/Housekeeping
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:
Source:WorkSafeBC / Workers Compensation Board of British ColumbiaView Source Details
Location: British Columbia

ERGONOMICS & DRIVING
This pamphet takes a look at two major causes of musculoskeletal disorder among drivers; long term sitting, and whole body vibration. In order to reduce long term sitting and whole body vibration this pamphlet makes recommendations regarding the position of the driver's seat and well as ways to combat inactivity.

MSD Job Title/Task:Driving
Topic:Back Care Vibration
Document Type:Year:1998
Source:WorkSafe SaskatchewanView Source Details
Location: Saskatchewan

Ergonomics Demonstration Project: Alaska Airlines Evaluation of Customer Service Agents
This article takes a look at how customer service agents working working for Alaska Airlines were at risk of suffering musculoskeletal disorders. It presents hazards and workplace solutions concerning issues common among customer service agents such as heavy lifting and bending or the neck.

MSD Job Title/Task:
Topic:Manual Materials Handling
Document Type:Year:2001
Source:Washington State Department of Labor and IndustriesView Source Details
Location:

MSI PREVENTION BULLETIN 4: Room Cleaning in Health Care
This Bulletin focuses on specific tasks associated with room cleaning that put room attendants at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. It provides MSD hazards and solutions to tasks such as cleaning the toilet, cleaning horizontal and vertical surfaces, and handling garbage.

MSD Job Title/Task:Custodian/Housekeeping
Topic:MSD Prevention Design - Tools
Document Type:Year:
Source:WorkSafeBC / Workers Compensation Board of British ColumbiaView Source Details
Location: British Columbia

MSI PREVENTION BULLETIN 8: Laundry in Health Care Facilities
This Bulletin focuses on specific laundry related tasks that put housekeeping workers at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. It provides MSD hazards and solutions to tasks such as receiving and weighing laundry, sorting soiled linen, loading and unloading washing machines and dryers, folding and handling laundry, and handling laundry chemicals.

MSD Job Title/Task:Laundry Housekeeping
Topic:Manual Materials Handling Design - Tools MSD Prevention
Document Type:Year:
Source:WorkSafeBC / Workers Compensation Board of British ColumbiaView Source Details
Location: British Columbia