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
