Investigating a Musculoskeletal Injury
Employers are required to conduct an investigation in situations associated with musculoskeletal injuries when:
- a worker has a work-related musculoskeletal injury requiring medical treatment; and
- an incident has the potential to result in a serious musculoskeletal injury.
Unsafe or harmful conditions must also be reported and investigated. For example, if a worker reports persistent signs or symptoms (such as swelling or tingling), there may be an unsafe work situation that could lead to a serious musculoskeletal injury. The unsafe condition must be investigated.
The focus of the investigation is to:
- identify risk factors that likely contributed to the injury or to the unsafe condition(s) that may result in a musculoskeletal injury, and
- implement controls to prevent the recurrence of similar injuries or to correct the unsafe condition(s).
E-Tool Simplifies Investigation Process
The Labour Program, in collaboration with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, has created an easy-to-use e-tool to assist with the investigation process. This e-tool is useful in correlating which risk factors might have contributed to the injury of the specific body part. The tool can help you focus on the risk factors that may need immediate attention. You will then need to assess each applicable risk factor and eliminate or minimize its impact on the worker.