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How to prevent MSDs?
A general tip to prevent MSD is to take regular breaks, do warm up physical
exercises, and have good posture when working.
C. Ergonomic Hazards
Ergonomic hazards refer to workplace conditions that pose the risk of injury to
the musculoskeletal system of the worker. Examples of musculoskeletal injuries
include tennis elbow (an inflammation of a tendon in the elbow) and carpal
tunnel syndrome (a condition affecting the hand and wrist). Ergonomic hazards
include repetitive and forceful movements, vibration, temperature extremes,
and awkward postures that arise from improper work methods and improperly
designed workstations, tools, and equipment.
The four main ergonomic hazard factors are force, posture, repetition and
duration are:
• Force is generated by muscles to lift, lower, push, pull or hold objects.
When the amount of force required for a job or task is more than the muscles
can handle, there is the risk of injury.
• Posture is the position of the different parts of the body relative to one
another. The more extreme, awkward or unnatural the posture, the greater
the risk of injury to muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves.
• Repetition is the number of times an action or body motion is performed
over a given time period. Jobs that require repetitive motion increase the
stress to the muscles and tendons because of fatigue and wear-and-tear.
• Duration is the length of time a worker is exposed to any ergonomic hazard.
Even though a movement or activity may be fairly comfortable, the duration
of the task over a long period can lead to injury.
Other ergonomic hazard factors are contact stress, vibration, temperature, work
organization and work methods.
Ergonomic Work Station Tips:
Work Activities
• Rotate work activities to break up repetitive tasks
• Change positions often to reduce muscle fatigue
• Keep your back and neck straight
• Place documents at the same level and distance as the monitor while keying
• Keep your wrists straight and avoid resting them on any surface while keying
• Focus briefly on distant objects to rest your eyes when reading or working on
a monitor
• Take regular mini-breaks for stretching or moving to improve blood
circulation
Seating Systems
• Adjust your seat pan so that your thighs are approximately parallel to the
floor
• Be sure that your feet rest flat on the floor or on a foot rest
• Adjust your back rest so that your lower back is comfortably supported by
the chair
• Adjust your chair’s armrest so that your shoulders are relaxed and supporte
at the elbow
Work Stations
• Adjust your monitor so that your eyes are even with the top row on the
monitor
• Position your monitor to avoid direct, bright light above, in front or behind
you
• Position frequently used tools and supplies within easy reach
• Arrange your desk to position the keyboard and mouse comfortably
• Adjust your keyboard and mouse to keep your shoulders relaxed, upper arms
loose, forearms parallel to the floor and wrists straight while keying
• Use a hands-free head set and position the telephone close to you if you use
it often
Lifting and Carrying Tips:
• Only lift or carry what you can easily manage.
• Get help with anything that you think might be too heavy or awkward to
manage on your own.
• Use trolleys, wheelbarrows, or other appropriate lifting equipment, if these
are available.
• Make sure you can clearly see where you are going.
• Use your whole hand to hold equipment and other items, not just your
fingers.
• If the load is uneven, make sure the heaviest part is closest to your body.
• Bend your knees and keep your back straight.
• Straighten your knees to stand.
D. Workplace Violence and Harassment
Workplace violence means the exercise of physical force by a person against a
worker in a workplace that causes, or could cause, physical injury to the worker;
and/or an attempt to exercise physical force against a worker in a workplace
that could cause physical injury to the worker.
Workplace harassment means engaging in a course of vexatious comment or
conduct against a worker in a workplace that is known or ought reasonably to be
known to be unwelcome.
Workplace violence and harassment includes:
• Threatening behaviour - such as shaking fists, destroying property or
throwing objects.
• Verbal or written threats - any expression of an intent to inflict harm.
• Harassment - any behaviour that demeans, embarrasses, humiliates,
annoys, alarms or verbally abuses a person and that is known or would be
expected to be unwelcome. This includes words, gestures, intimidation,
bullying, or other inappropriate activities.
• Verbal abuse - swearing, insults or condescending language.
• Physical attacks - hitting, shoving, pushing or kicking.
Rumours, swearing, verbal abuse, pranks, arguments, property damage,
vandalism, sabotage, pushing, theft, physical assaults, psychological trauma,
anger-related incidents, rape, arson and murder are all examples of workplace
violence.
Workplace violence is not limited to incidents that occur within a traditional
workplace. Work-related violence can occur at off-site business-related functions
(conferences, trade shows), at social events related to work, in clients' homes or
away from work but resulting from work (a threatening telephone call to your
home from a client).
Workplace Violence Training and Education (on the Job)
Host Organizations are responsible for preventing acts of workplace violence and
harassment against Interns during the term of their internship. Education and
training are an indispensible part of any violence prevention program. The exact
content of training and type of training you will receive from your Host
Organization depends upon the results of their workplace violence hazard
assessment and their workplace-specific prevention program.
Regardless of the specific violence risk assessment of a Host Organization, all
Interns need to understand:
• Their rights and responsibilities under applicable provincial and federal
legislation
• The scope of Host Organization’s workplace violence and risk factors
• Host Organization’s workplace violence and harassment prevention policy
• Host Organization’s procedures and arrangements to minimize or control the
risk of violence
• Safe and appropriate responses to incidents or potential incidents, including
how to obtain assistance
• The correct procedures for reporting, investigating and documenting
incidents or potential incidents
• The follow-up and support services that are available, in the event of a
violent incident.
Intern orientation should include the above mentioned topics related to
workplace violence and harassment. Interns should initiate a discussion with
their Coach if there are any questions related with these topics.
In addition to the orientation on the job, Career Edge Organization’s workplace
violence and harassment policies are applicable to all Interns as its employees
and serve as a reference for workplace violence and harassment. Career Edge
Organization’s violence and harassment policies are as follows:
Career Edge Organization Workplace Violence Policy
The management of Career Edge Organization is committed to the prevention of
acts of workplace violence against its employees, contractors and interns during
their employment. We will take all reasonable necessary steps to protect our
employees from workplace violence.
Workplace violence means the exercise of physical force by a person against a
worker in a workplace that causes, or could cause, physical injury to the worker.
An attempt to exercise physical force against a worker in a workplace that could
cause physical injury to the worker. A statement or behaviour that is reasonable
for a worker to interpret as a threat to exercise physical force against the
worker, in a workplace, that could cause physical injury to the worker.
Violence in the workplace is unacceptable from anyone. Everyone is expected to
uphold this policy and to work together to prevent workplace violence.
The Career Edge Organization workplace violence prevention program outlined
in the Handbook implements this policy. It includes a process for employees to
report incidents, or raise concerns.
Every employee, contractor and intern must work in compliance with this policy
and the supporting program. All employees are encouraged to raise any
concerns about workplace and to report any incidents or threats.
Management pledges to investigate and deal with all incidents and complaints of
workplace violence in a timely and fair manner, respecting the privacy of all
concerned to the extent possible.
Career Edge Organization Workplace Harassment Policy
The management of Career Edge Organization is committed to providing a work
environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.
Workplace harassment will not be tolerated from any person in the workplace.
Everyone in the workplace must be dedicated to preventing workplace
harassment. Employees, contractors and interns are expected to uphold this
policy, and will be held accountable by the employer.
Workplace harassment means engaging in a course of vexatious comment or
conduct against a worker in a workplace – a comment or conduct that is known
or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome.
This policy is not intended to limit or constrain the reasonable exercise of
management functions in the workplace including but not limited to ongoing
performance evaluation and initiating disciplinary action against employees as a
result of violation of organization’s policies and procedures.
Employees. contractors and interns are encouraged to report any incidents of
workplace harassment to their managers immediately.
Management will investigate and deal with all concerns, complaints, or incidents
of workplace harassment in a fair and timely manner while respecting
employees’ privacy as much as possible.
Your rights as an Intern
As an Intern, if you believe you are being subject to workplace violence or
threats and you think the work environment is dangerous to yourself or others,
you have the right to refuse work and must contact your host organization
Coach / Manager and Career Edge Organization immediately.
Reporting Workplace Violence and Harassment:
As stated, all incidents of violence and harassment involving you as the Intern
must be reported to your host organization Coach / Manager and Career Edge
Organization immediately. When reporting an incident remember your
employer is Career Edge Organization. The incidents may include verbal or
written harassment, bullying or acts of physical violence. If physical violence or
any other criminal acts may have been committed, notify the police
immediately. Obtain advice from the police regarding which incidents require
immediate reporting.
Reporting Procedure
The report should provide:
• Information about the victim
• Information about the alleged offender
• A description of the interaction or work activity
• Details about the incident, including a description of the incident, the location
of the incident and the outcome
• Information about any witnesses
• Other relevant information (possible contributing factors, relevant events
which preceded the incident, suggested preventive or remedial actions)
After the submission of report, a staff member of Career Edge Organization
will contact you to discuss the incident and assist you as required.
Knowing about the Emergency Response Plan
As an Intern, it is essential that you know about the specific emergency plan of
your Host Organization which clearly outlines how to respond to a serious
incident which is in progress in your workplace or might take place in the future.
A typical emergency plan will include the following information:
• How can the workplace be secured
• knowledge of internal emergency numbers or code words to alert security or
co-workers that urgent help is required.
• Information and knowledge of clear guidelines to follow in emergency
situations.
• Identification of scenarios where you would call for emergency services.
• Knowledge of a detailed evacuation plan and “lock-down” procedures (take
refuge in a secure location) or evacuate your organization.
• Rehearsal of evacuation and lock-down procedures, or any other drills for
specific situations likely to be encountered at your workplace.
• Information about a system to account for the safety of all personnel.
If you have any questions about health and safety including workplace
violence and harassment, please contact Career Edge Organization by
info@careeredge.ca or by phone at 1-888-507-3343. We will
email at
ensure that you have an answer within 1 business day.
To report any workplace incident including violence and harassment
related incidents, please call directly at 1-888-507-3343, extension: 233
and indicate the reason of your call first before reporting the incident.
Terminating your internship contract prior to the scheduled completion date
