Three out of four Canadian adults experience some form of back or neck discomfort at some point in their lives. These people represent a large and lucrative market for unscrupulous and less-skilled practitioners, of which there are too many in the medical, rehabilitative, insurance and pharmacological fields.

There was a time when jobs that inflicted vibrations on the body — long-haul truck driving and construction work, for instance — were considered bad for the back. But new research out of the University of Calgary suggests that certain vibrations may in fact help alleviate chronic back pain.

A recent survey of Canadian workplaces has shown that nearly 60 per cent of employees do not believe their senior management is “involved in the prevention of accidents and occupational diseases involving musculoskeletal disorders.”

On April 3rd, 2006 the Ontario Ministry of Labour announced it would deploy workplace inspectors across the province. These inspectors would be targeting 6,000 workplaces including industrial, health care, retail, office and administrative environments.

According to Ministry of Labour spokesperson Belinda Sutton “the inspectors will be targeting high-risk workplaces in addition to providing information and discussing ergonomic hazards, identifying ergonomic-related issues and taking preventive steps.”

What others think about an injured worker may have significant impact on that worker’s rehabilitation process and return-to-work strategy, according to new study from Quebec-based research firm, Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST).

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) account for 40 per cent of all lost-time claims in Ontario workplaces. MSDs and repetitive strain injuries (RSI) are injuries that affect muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves, and can develop when the same muscles are used repetitively or for long periods. 

Each year, thousands of Canadian employees seek extended time off from work due to inflamed joints, deteriorating tendons, damaged tissues and other symptoms associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders or WMSD.


Considered one of the most common types of injury in the workplace, WMSD accounts for nearly 49 per cent of all lost-time days across the country, according to industry experts. 

On April 3rd, 2006 the Ontario Ministry of Labour announced it would deploy workplace inspectors across the province. These inspectors would be targeting 6,000 workplaces including industrial, health care, retail, office and administrative environments.

According to Ministry of Labour spokesperson Belinda Sutton “the inspectors will be targeting high-risk workplaces in addition to providing information and discussing ergonomic hazards, identifying ergonomic-related issues and taking preventive steps.”

Capital Safety’s DBI-SALA ExoFit XP Arc Flash Harness with Velcro Strap features a lightweight nylon web with ergonomic shoulder and leg padding from Nomex/Kevlar, providing a comfortable fit for the worker, the company says. The ExoFit Arc Flash Harness is designed for use by the utility industry in high voltage environments. The harnesses incorporate an easy-to-don Velcro chest strap that gives the user a vest style harness with no metal above the waist to reduce electrical conductivity, Capital Safety says. The shoulder and leg padding is removable for easy cleaning and inspection.
www.capitalsafety.com