Global Ergonomics Month 2025
2025-10-01 08:00 - 2025-10-31 17:00 (America/Toronto)
Human-Centred Design
Celebrated in October each year, Global Ergonomics Month is an international outreach campaign promoting human-centred design through the science, application and profession of ergonomics or human factors. These disciplines are focused on optimizing human well-being as well as overall system performance by proactively designing work and work systems to fit the people interfacing with them in ways that improve efficiency, productivity, health, safety and comfort. Ergonomics is ultimately good for business and good for people. See the content from previous years of Global Ergonomics Month here.

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
This summer and fall, OHCOW has partnered with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), Workplace Safety North (WSN), and Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) for a Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) initiative. Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is a condition that can affect the vascular, neurological and muscular systems of the hands. Regular exposure to vibrating hand tools/equipment (dependent upon the magnitude, frequency, and duration) such as jackhammers, chisels, chainsaws, sanders, grinders, drills etc., increases the risk of developing HAVS. Some of the trades/industries in which workers are at risk include construction, forestry, foundry, assembly manufacturing, mining and agriculture.

Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) Mining HAV Initiative
In 2025 the MLITSD is launching a focused initiative on hand-arm vibration (HAV) exposure in Northern Ontario’s mining sector—and employers need to be prepared. Use the QR code or go to the link to see list of resources.

Ergonomic Resources

Video
See the new three-part video playlist regarding HAVS.

Info Sheet
See page and download PDF.

Podcasts
Back to School: Ergonomics for Educators and Students
Everything from carrying a backpack to eyestrain from screens to school desks can cause injury. Get the facts with this detailed info sheet. Back to School: Ergonomics for Students and Educators This info sheet accompanies the Oh-Pods Podcast on the same topic.

Hear Podcast

Ergonomics of Fall Yard/Garden Chores: Preparation for Winter
Many yardwork chores may lead to the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) if done incorrectly. Get some useful information about preventing injury with this info sheet. Download PDF: Ergonomics of Fall Yard/ Garden Chores: Preparation for Winter

Hear Podcast

Ergonomics and Sleep Podcasts
How you sleep and factors like mattress quality can affect your health and sometimes result in musculoskeletal disorders. Download PDF: Ergonomics and Sleep

This info sheet accompanies a 2-part OH-PODS podcast. Tune in to hear!

PART ONE
PART TWO

Office Ergo e-Learning

CSA Office Ergonomics Standard (Z412-17), our new Office Ergonomics learning resource reflects changes in the office environment (i.e. multiple monitors, tablet use, remote workstations, etc.), as well as continuing to address ergonomic concerns related to the traditional office setting. Designed with independent modules for ease of use, this colourful and engaging e-learning resource contains 7 modules. Start a free account at MyOhcow first!

Office Ergo e-Learning
Job Demands Analysis (JDA)

This Job Demands Analysis (JDA) includes both a Physical Demands Description (PDD), as well as an analysis of Cognitive and Psychosocial Demands (CDA). This JDA template has been developed to be best used on a mobile device such as a phone or tablet, to accurately and efficiently capture the demands of a job. All features of the template are fully functional on computer as well.

Go to Tool

Office Ergonomics Calculator

The Office Ergonomics Calculator was designed to highlight areas of improvement between you and your workstation. It is a tool to indicate areas where improvement may be needed in your workstation setup. For more information about office ergonomics, see the reference guide.

Go to Calculator
Ergonomics Reference Guide
Keyboard Shortcut Tutorial
If you use a computer on a regular basis you need to be using keyboard shortcuts to minimize mouse use, increase keyboard efficiency, and reduce ergonomic risk. Different computers / operating systems have different shortcuts. Learn more about the shortcuts for the system that you use.

Go To Keyboard Shortcuts

Women's History Month 2025
2025-10-01 08:00 - 2025-10-31 17:00
See our Women’s History Month Page Here.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025
2025-10-01 08:00 - 2025-10-31 17:00
Rates of breast cancer in Canada have dropped, and treatments have seen improved outcomes in the past decade. Still, according to the Canadian Cancer Society, about 75 Canadians are diagnosed with breast cancer every single day. It remains crucial to continue with education about the disease and be aware of its causes and prevention. Cancer of any type can be caused by both genetic pre-disposition and environmental factors.
For more information, see their page on the risks, symptoms, screening and diagnosis of breast cancer:

Cancer and Night Shift Work
According to current research published in Biomedical Reports, the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and other sources, night shift work is the leading work-related factor that increases the risk for breast cancer. In jobs such as nursing where working at night is required it is recommended to reduce the number of consecutive night shifts. It has also been identified that some individuals are less prone to the negative effects of night shifts due to their chronotype, meaning their individual variations of sleep/wake times, influenced by environmental light, genetics, and human development stages. When it comes to scheduling night shift work, a “forward rotation” is recommended, e.g. the night shift follows the afternoon shift and completes in the morning, rather than the morning shift following the night shift and completes in the afternoon. Continued research is being done on this important topic. See OHCOW’s Page on Work-Related Cancer
Occupational Risk Factors
Other than night shift work mentioned above, sedentary work and work involving exposure to substances such as ionizing radiation, asbestos, pesticides and some cleaning chemicals are also job-related factors.
This would include the following cccupations:
Nursing and Health Care: Shift work can lead to melatonin suppression, which has been reported as a risk for multiple cancers, including breast. It disrupts the circadian rhythm resulting in damaging effects on immune function and hormone balancing.
Teaching, Clerical: Sedentary behaviour like desk work can lead to higher risks of breast cancer. It is well established that physical activity is an important factor in breast cancer prevention, by lowering sex hormones and reducing adiposity and inflammation.
Janitorial, and similar: Exposure to chemicals can increase risk for breast cancer. Asbestos, still present in some buildings, has been proven to lead to various kinds of cancer in women and men.
Agricultural: Some pesticides used on farms and in greenhouses increase risk, including through equipment decontamination, pesticide drift, chemical spraying in fields, and more. Washing contaminated work clothing with other regular clothing is also a factor.
Here are some general pages about breast cancer and ways we can be involved in Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Canadian Cancer Society
BreastCancer.org
Canadian Breast Cancer Network
