This topic includes a wide range of injuries that can occur in the workplace if your work is not set up and managed properly and safely. From ergonomics to musculoskeletal disorders to your work environment, we cover all the bases when it comes to occupational injury prevention. We encourage you to explore the topics below as well as the many services and resources we offer related to each.
INJURY
PREVENTION

EVERY INJURY IS PREVENTABLE
Prevention programs are a proactive way to find and fix workplace hazards before workers are injured or become ill.
These programs can be effective at reducing injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.
Workplace Ergonomics, Musculoskeletal Disorders and Work Environment are all key topics of the prevention picture.
These key topics are all discussed below with access to more information and resources provided on each topic:
WORKPLACE ERGONOMICS
By definition, ergonomics is the study of the relationship between workers and their work environment.
The aim of ergonomics is to match the job to the worker to reduce the strain placed on the tissues and to prevent injury.
We provide information and resources on both office ergonomics and industrial/commercial ergonomics
MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
When a muscle, tendon, nerve or joint is stressed and traumatized on a repeated basis for days, months or years,
those body tissues eventually become damaged.
This leads to a work-related musculoskeletal disorder (MSD).
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common type of workplace injury in Ontario workplaces.
They can occur throughout the body including the head, neck and back as well as in the upper and lower extremities.
It is crucial to control the hazards that could leads to MSDs.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The environment in which your work can adversely affect your health and well-being.
From noise to temperature and lighting, it is important that all aspects of your work environment are suitable
for the tasks that are being performed as well as the people that are performing them.
THE NUMBERS
In Ontario alone the numbers for occupational related illness/injury are staggering. More introductory text needed here…
78%
of workers in Ontario have suffered injury or illness from work-related duties.
1.5M
of workers in Ontario have suffered injury or illness from work-related duties.
32%
of workers in Ontario have suffered injury or illness from work-related duties.
OHCOW SERVICES
OHCOW offers a variety of services that you or your workplace can utilize
in dealing with work-related injuries or illnesses.
From an information/inquiry service to medical diagnostic services, and education and outreach programs
to group services and research services we are here to help in any way we can.
We also offer advocate, health professional, self, and joint health and safety representative and committee referrals.
IN YOUR WORDS
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I was treated like a human being and not like a statistic by all levels of staff – from administration to the nurse to the doctor. Thank you so very much for your support.
Anonymous
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Despite my lack of language proficiency, your office made the necessary effort to understand me and made me comfortable to express my issues at ease.
Anonymous
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I received professional service. the staff is very friendly and considerate. They talked in a way I understood even though my English is very limited.
Anonymous