Ergonomic programs aim to minimize the risk of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) injuries such as work-related pains and discomfort and identify appropriate solutions through the evaluation of people, processes, and work environment.
Programs
Ergonomic Programs and Resources
Office Ergonomics
The following resources are intended to guide employees in a self-assessment of the ergonomic design of their computer workstation. These guidelines and tips can help to identify and correct ergonomic problems to prevent repetitive strain injuries, eyestrain, fatigue and discomfort.
Departments can order office equipment through Purchasing, who have specifications of approved ergonomic chairs within our Preferred Vendor agreements.
Ergonomic Assessments
Before requesting an ergonomic assessment, Employee Safety and Wellness recommends reviewing the ergonomic program and all ergonomic resources.
Employees are encouraged to complete the Ergonomic Self Assessment checklist, make all applicable recommended adjustments to your workstation, and try out the new set up for at least a week. If pain/discomfort still continues, you can request an ergonomic assessment of your workstation through your supervisor by following the steps below.
Step 1: Notify your supervisor of your pain/discomfort at your workstation and any adjustments that have been made. (NOTE: Any work-related injuries requiring medical attention also require an Accident/Incident from to be completed, in order for a WSIB claim to be initiated. Please see the Accident/Incident Reporting page to complete a form.
Step 2: The supervisor requests an Ergonomic Assessment to be completed by emailing esw@uwindsor.ca.
Step 4: The ergonomic assessment is completed and a report is provided to the supervisor.
Step 5: The supervisor ensures a copy of the report is provided to the employee and Employee Safety and Wellness with any recommendations. It is then the responsibility of the supervisor to consider/implement recommendations from the report.
Departments can order ergonomic office equipment through Purchasing, please see Equipment Buying Tips section below.
Equipment Buying Tips
Ergonomic Equipment Buying Tips
Other Resources/Legislation
- Office Assessment: Video Example | MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario
- Ergonomic Stretching - Workplace Safety - North
- Computer Ergonomics - Ontario
- Anti-Fatigue Mats - CCOHS
- Ontario - Computer Ergonomics
- Canadian Centre of Occupational Health and Safety: CCOHS: Office Ergonomics
- Ontario Manual Material Handling: Manual materials handling | ontario.ca
- Canadian Centre of Occupational Health and Safety: Manual Materials Handling (MMH)
- MSD Guideline: Home Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (msdprevention.com)
- Canadian Centre of Occupational Health and Safety: Pushing Pulling Hand Cart: CCOHS: Pushing and Pulling - Handcarts
- Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD): Work Shouldn't Hurt
- Canadian Centre of Occupational Health and Safety: Shoveling Snow - CCOHS: Shovelling - Snow
- Canadian Centre of Occupational Health and Safety: Shoveling - CCOHS: Shovelling
- Ontario - Ladder Ergonomics