A business process is only as effective as the people behind it.

That is why it’s so important everyone in your organization, managers and employees alike, know what the blueprint for MSD prevention looks like and what is expected of them.

Everyone needs to understand their role and how leadership will hold them accountable for meeting their MSD prevention process responsibilities.

Who should be involved?

MSD prevention is everyone’s job. This process should be “owned by many”. As you involve more people, you will have access to more expertise and resources needed to effectively implement and maintain this process over the long haul.

Along those lines, make sure you include employees on the shop floor in this process. They are often the ones with the most at stake and they’re the true experts of their job.

MSD Prevention Champion

Your company’s leadership team should identify a person who has ultimate responsibility for being “champion” of the MSD prevention process.

Usually the Health & Safety or HR Manager, this person should eat, sleep and breathe safety culture and will facilitate and monitor the MSD prevention process.

MSD Prevention Roles & Responsibilities

Outlined below are the key roles and responsibilities involved in an effective MSD prevention process.

Plant Manager:

• Communicates and demonstrates management’s leadership and commitment.
• Provides authorization of adequate resources.

Health & Safety Manager:

• Usually the “champion” who facilitates and monitors the implementation of the MSD prevention process.
• Works with athletic trainer to direct activity and implement methods of reducing exposure to MSD.
• Assists in educating and communicating to all levels of the facility.
• Conducts periodic trend reviews and program evaluation.

Supervisors:

• Facilitates the implementation and direction of the MSD prevention process within manager’s area or responsibility.
• Encourages early reporting of excessive fatigue, discomfort, or MSD signs and symptoms. Responds appropriately and promptly when an employee reports.
• Observe workers, be alert to non-verbal discomfort cues, and take a proactive approach to frequently ask employees if they are experiencing any difficulty.

Safety / Ergonomics Team:

• Attend MSD prevention & ergonomics training programs.
• Identify opportunities for reduction or elimination of known job-related MSD risk factors.
• Assist in the investigation, prioritization, and solution development for ergonomic improvement opportunities that have been identified.
• Assist in communication and education about MSD risk factors and ergonomics to all employees.
• Work to insure that all new job tasks and processes are designed with ergonomics in mind.

Employees:

• Report any early signs and symptoms to department managers to initiate early intervention.
• Provides suggestions for controlling ergonomic risk factors.
• Accepts responsibility for personal risk factors related to MSD.

Athletic Trainer / Injury Prevention Specialist:

An athletic trainer is a human performance expert and can be a tremendous asset as part of your OHS team. Outlined below are the ways an on-site athletic trainer can add value to this process.

Establishment:

• Works with management to determine goals, objectives, and structure of the MSD prevention process.
• Assist with review and identification of priority departments and jobs.
• Review MSD prevention process with safety and/or ergonomics teams.
• Work with management to develop and implement a best practice pre-shift warm-up and stretching program.
• Work with management to develop and implement a best practice RTW program including work conditioning and alternate duty assignments if possible.

Early Intervention:

• Address team member early reports of fatigue/discomfort as they appear.
• Provide self-care counseling of team members regarding any fatigue/discomfort.
• Provide at least weekly follow-up with team members reporting fatigue and document compliance with self-care program elements.

Ergonomics:

• Perform job demands and ergonomic analysis by area on a priority basis.
• Document ergonomic improvement opportunities and work with management and safety/ergonomics team to cost justify and implement practical solutions.
• When engineering controls are not practical, work with management to determine whether administrative controls such as job rotation would be effective in reducing MSD risk while maintaining quality and productivity objectives.
• Measure and document effectiveness of implemented controls.

Education:

• Conduct training programs as needed for supervisors & team leads.
• Conduct training programs as needed for safety/ergonomics team & engineers.
• Conduct general MSD prevention & wellness training for employees by area on priority basis.
• Conduct work methods and body mechanics training with employees.

Evaluation:

• Evaluate MSD process components to ensure they are effective. Identify improvement opportunities and update goals accordingly.

Conclusion

The people behind the process are what make it work. Define and communicate responsibilities to all members of the team to ensure the success of your MSD prevention process.

Free MSD Prevention Workshop

Learn how to prevent common and costly MSDs in our free 8-lesson MSD Prevention Workshop. Sign up today.