MSDs

Back injuries and related muscle strains are the most common injuries in the healthcare and community care sector. These injuries occur during client handling, or through other non-client handling tasks involving lifting or repetitive motions.

A review of the lost-time injury (LTI) count for the Ontario community and health care sector demonstrates an overall increase in lost-time injuries from 1997 to 2003, followed by a gradual decline in the years 2004 to 2007. Despite this decline:

• over 8,923 compensable LTIs occurred in the year 2007 for Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) rate groups served by OSACH  
• 2,133 of these injuries were due to client handling (WSIB Data Source:PDM* Injury Analysis by SWA cube Snapshot date: August 31, 2008)  
• the average cost of a WSIB claim in 2007 escalated to $21,300 (WSIB 2007) and in 2008 to $24,133 (WSIB 2008).

Employees at nursing homes and retirement homes are at highest risk:

• The MSD frequency rate was consistently higher between 2005-2007
• Nursing homes have the 4th highest and retirement homes 7th highest of all rate groups in the province
• Nursing homes 4th highest count of MSDs in the province
• MSDs are 56% and 63% of total LTIs (nursing homes & retirement homes respectively)
• MSDs represent over 60% of LTI costs and days lost

In April and May, the MoL will be conducting targeted inspections in residential and long term care homes, examining client handling and MSD prevention programs, specifically assessing the following at these homes:

• There is a documented program that considers lifts, transfer and repositions
• Training in the program and use of mechanical lifts has been provided and documented
• Equipment has been provided and maintained

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