Welcome! to the International Conference on MSD Prevention in Transportation Hosted by The Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of MSD’S (CRE-MSD) and the Transportation Health and Safety Association of Ontario (THSAO)

The significance of this conference for MSD prevention in the Transportation Sector A conference whose time has come! – To forge linkages between the research community, safety partners and workplaces, who together, can leverage, create and implement knowledge about MSD’S. Need to augment the MSD research in this area Determine what we know and what we don’t about MSD’s in transportation Need to determine what work needs to be done Build a best practices database for the academic community and transportation sector workplaces.

Challenge of MSD’S The Macro View – Ontario Injury Data 89% of all LTI’S were due to 3 types of general hazards (overexertion/bodily reaction, falls and contact with objects and equipment). 45% of all LTI’S are from overexertion, bodily reaction (strains and sprains)

The Transportation Sector Rate Groups 497: Ready Mix Concrete 551: Air Transport 553: Air Transport Services 560: Warehousing 570: General Trucking 577: Courier Services 580: Miscellaneous Transport Industries 584: School Buses 590: Ambulance Operations 681: Lumber and Building Supplies 689: Material Recycling

Nature of Work and Hazards in the Transportation Sector Ergonomic risk factors: Lifting and carrying, securing and covering loads, decoupling trailers, mounting and dismounting heavy equipment, cranking dolly wheels, driving, long periods of inactivity in some rates, awkward positions, labour-intensive strenuous work, manual handling of materials, pre-trip inspections, fatigue, vehicle/equipment use hazards, whole body vibration.

MSD’S in the Transportation Sector - Ontario Discussion Average number of MSD claims in the sector The frequency rate for MSD’S & MSD related claims costs Which rates have the highest average number of MSD’S and claims costs. Claims costs for the sector

Injury Data – USA A comparison According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, sprains and strains were the most common type of injury involving days away from work in 2004, counting for approx. 41% of the total (overexertion 23%, bodily reaction 13%, repetitive motion 5% approx.) Lost time claims by occupation - transport and equipment operators 29%.

Why Now? Health and Safety System Drivers Provincial Government has developed a MSD Prevention Strategy for Ontario OHSCO support and endorsement New Ministry of Labour Inspectors and Ergonomist imperatives concerning MSD’S (20% reduction in LTI’S by 2008) Canada Labour Code Part II – Ergonomic Regulations in development National Institute of Health (NIH) USA - Current focus of Research Workplaces, unions and organizations in Ontario are working to reduce MSD’S System wide coordinated strategy needed backed by research.

Creation of MSD-Specific Materials In the sector, THSAO has in collaboration with industry and other partners, designed developed and launched a course entitled ‘How to Prevent Sprains and Strains in the Transportation Industry – Ergonomics Training’.

What’s in this new course? Designed and developed with industry partners Introduction to Ergonomics Ergo issues that relate to driving and manual handling of materials - risk factors. Interventions for driving for the individual and the company Interventions for manual handling, loading/unloading for driver and company Outline of ergo resources

Target Audience and Application Drivers, managers, owners, safety officers, safety reps and JHSC members. Practical advice, low cost interventions and a systems approach.

Creation of other MSD Specific Materials MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario Resource Manual for MSD prevention Prevent MSD Information sheets for employees, workers, supervisors, JHSC and reps. MSD Fact Sheets RSI Fact Sheets MSD Prevention Practices Database MOL Information on Preventing Workplace Pains and Strains MSD Key Topics

THSAO CRE-MSD IWH Transportation Research Group WSIB RAC Transportation Sector 11 Rates MSD Best Practices Database $Funds Literature Review Input Influence Other Ontario Sectors Canadian & North American Research Global Research Findings

Thank You… Your attendance and contribution here will make a positive difference! Enjoy the Conference!