Manual Materials Handling and Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Making it Work!

Monday, October 2, 2017 8:30 am - 3:30 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

Conference overview

What are you handling – large and heavy or light and frequent loads? Baggage or packages, linen, automotive parts, masonry blocks, road maintenance access hole covers, sheet metal or produce? If you’re interested in learning about the capabilities of workers so that Manual Materials Handling (MMH) can be designed safely; MMH programs that optimize the workplace and minimize risk of injury; and what current research has to say to prevent injuries or strains and sprains, including disorders of the shoulder and low back – then this conference is for you!

Insights from a variety of industries such as construction, transportation, manufacturing, and health care will be provided, including concrete examples of the challenges faced and successful strategies that have been used to prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD).  

The morning will feature a panel sharing the most current research on MMH for musculoskeletal health and injury prevention:

  • Dr. Don Chaffin, the Snyder Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, Departments of Industrial and Operations Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at The University of Michigan, will discuss the history, present and future of occupational biomechanics assessments and prevention efforts related to MMH.
  • Dr. Tyson Beach, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, who has performed research in challenging work environments and worked extensively with the firefighting community, will discuss shortcomings, successes and approaches related to training workers for MMH.
  • Dr. Emile Tompa, Senior Scientist at the Institute for Work and Health and co-director of the Centre for Research on Work Disability Policy, will present research related to the return on investment of implementing health and safety programs.
  • Allison Stephens, Advanced Ergonomic Studies Program Coordinator at Fanshawe College, will present an industrial perspective on strategies to design and plan your material handling to optimize the workplace and minimize injury risk.

Our collaborators – Ontario health and safety associations (PSHSA, IHSA, WSPS), worker representatives (Unifor, Ontario Building Trades), the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, the Ministry of Labour, and healthcare organizations – will be bringing you an exciting afternoon with a variety of industry specific sessions providing case studies and notary discussants highlighting implementation strategies and successful interventions for MSD prevention.  

This event will be of interest to individuals in all sectors, including employers, supervisors, human resources professionals, worker representatives, health & safety consultants, ergonomists, government and researchers. 

Registration

Registration is now closed. For assistance, contact Betina Butler at bbutler@uwaterloo.ca