Prevention of MSD’s in the Transportation Sector: A Research Study
Due to the high prevalence of the MSDs in the transportation sector, increased efforts focusing on reducing MSD risk factors are required and a demonstrable need for research into the prevention of MSDs in the transportation sector is evident. (Refer to Injury Statistics tab for further information).

Six transportation companies have collaborated in a joint project with CRE-MSD and the Transportation Health and Safety Association of Ontario (THSAO) on a two and a half year research project to develop feasible and effective ergonomic interventions to prevent the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the transportation sector. (see research team tab). This research project was funded through a grant provided by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and its Research Advisory Council (WSIB-RAC). The goal of this research is to develop a guideline of recommended practices for the prevention of MSDs in the transportation sector. The six companies who participated in this study are from three of the sector’s major rate groups and include two courier companies, two general trucking companies, a flat-bed trucking company, and a waste collection company. (see research partners tab). The collaboration with these companies is greatly appreciated.

Throughout the project each company worked with an ergonomist and created an ergonomic change team consisting of representatives from a wide range of functions to identify concerns and then develop solutions. The ergonomist helped create cross-functional teams, facilitated the workplace meetings, delivered training, and helped the change teams develop possible interventions to their concerns. Each company had monthly ergonomic change team meetings, a steering group with representation from the six companies, a union, THSAO, and the researchers met quarterly, and four of the companies hosted the site visits for the other transportation companies involved, to tour their location and discuss issues.

Ergonomic assessments were completed on all major jobs and tasks and a list of feasible, transportation-specific interventions was generated. The interventions were evaluated based on their effectiveness to reduce the risk of MSDs. Recommended practices and tip sheets were created from the information gathered throughout the project. These assessments, recommended practices and tip sheets can be found in the resources link of this section.

In addition, an international conference on MSD-prevention in the transportation sector was held in 2007 and 2009 as well as a workshop in 2007. Information on these conferences and the presentations is provided in the conferences tab.

The project also consisted of a couple detailed research studies, including a study to evaluate the physical demands of tarping and a study comparing courier truck designs. Details of these two studies as well as other articles are provided in the publications & presentations tab of the transportation sector.

This evidence-based research on the prevention of MSDs will feed into an overarching MSD-prevention initiative for the transportation sector.