April 12, 2007
We are in the process of creating accessible versions of the materials for this event. Please check back soon for presentations and videos.
Presentations and videos
- Welcome and Introduction
- Keynote: Setting the scene
- The sector speaks
- European perspective
- United States perspective
Summary
A cross-stakeholder conference on the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Transportation sector was held on April 12, 2007. The conference was co-sponsored by the Center of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) and the Transportation Health and Safety Association of Ontario (THSAO).
It brought together a multidisciplinary, international, expert panel to discuss state-of-the-art research and practices. Participants brought experiential, technical and regulatory knowledge to the discussion.
Little is known about the prevention of MSDs in transportation; what is known mostly relates to vibration and seating. Existing ergonomic programs have been developed for manufacturing (especially automotive), office settings, and for larger organizations. They do not match the situation in transportation where firms tend to be small, and activities occur irregularly from sitting for long periods of time to heavy manual materials handling.
Multiple perspectives were offered on: what processes are needed to help make change; what is economically and operationally feasible to change and implement; what risks are acceptable to workers; what are the attitudinal barriers; and what is achievable?