Sprains, Strains and Tears are 100% Preventable

Sprains, strains and tears account for more than 60% of workplace injuries in Manitoba. And just like traumatic injuries, they are 100% preventable.

Everyone has heard a story about a person suffering a traumatic injury at work. But we don’t talk as much about the seemingly “little” injuries that happen every day at work – the back pain, knee problems, ankle sprains and other musculoskeletal injuries that can end up having huge effects on a life.

We don’t talk about the emotional, physical and social effects. We don’t talk about how a sprain strain or tear can result in problems sleeping, trouble carrying groceries, being unable to play with your children or grandchildren, or even experiencing severe pain while trying to do something as simple as washing your hair.

Preventing these injuries is everyone’s responsibility. From employers providing training to workers identifying when a task is causing pain, it’s up to all of us to work together to prevent sprains, strains and tears from happening in our workplaces.

Check out SAFE Work’s prevention materials to help you protect yourself, your coworkers or your workforce from sprains, strains and tears at work: 

• Preventing Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI): A guide for employers and joint committees
• Understanding the Risks of Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI): An educational guide for workers on sprains, strains and other MSIs
• Sprains, Strains and Tears: Prevention tips for musculoskeletal injuries

Videos

• Back to Basics Understanding ergonomics and posture is a surefire way to help prevent strain injuries to the back and neck. Back to Basics aims to help.
• Sprains, Strains and Tears Sprains, strains and tears account for more than 60% of workplace injuries in Manitoba. And just like traumatic injuries, they are 100% preventable.
• One-person Transfer This video will help remind you of things to keep in mind when doing a one person minimal assist sit-to-stand transfer.
• Two-person Lift There are different ways to transfer patients safely. This video will help remind you of things to keep in mind when doing a two person minimal assist sit-to-stand transfer
• Building a Better Workstation Do you spend most of your day at a desk? Then check out “Building a Better Workstation” to learn simple steps you can take to improve your workspace… and lessen your risk for injuries.

Downloads

• Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries: A guide for employers and joint committees A guide for employers and joint committees detailing tips to implementing a musculoskeletal injury prevention plan. Risk factors and investigation practices are also highlighted.
• Understanding the Risks of MSI: A guide for workers on sprains, strains and other MSIs A guide for workers on understanding the risks of musculoskeletal injury. A discussion of MSI signs, risk factors and how to identify risk factors is also included.
• Prevention Tips for Musculoskeletal Injuries A short brochure highlighting tips to prevent musculoskeletal injuries in the workplace.