b'CSAM NEWSASSESSINGAND ADAPTINGCSAMs new assessment tool reduces the risk of MSI in constructionHeavy lifting or repetitive motions might be in your job description, but injuries should never be.Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) are sprains, strains and tears that affect muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, carti-lage or spinal discs. That could include a worker putting their back out from improperly lifting a heavy object or perhaps straining their shoulders and arms from completing work overhead.While we know these jobs need to get done, the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba (CSAM) can help you find better ways to complete these tasks.Work shouldnt hurt, says CSAM Executive Director SeanWe knew this specific task was a problem, says FC Scott. Construction can be a physically demanding industry.WoodWorks Inc. Administrator Tessa Mostert. With two Investing in safe work practices is an investment in workersworkers lifting together, the worker in one position was so they can have long and successful careers, while alsopulling the material in a way that was affecting the other making sure they go home safely each day." worker and putting them at risk of MSIs. More than 4,000 MSIs occur in all Manitoba workplacesMostert says she was struggling to find a way to fully illus-each year. In Manitobas construction industry, MSIs havetrate to workers how their movements were affecting each decreased annually from 2018 to 2021but there is stillother, until CSAM completed the assessment and provided work to do, and CSAM has a new resource to prevent futureergonomic adaptations.MSIs on your jobsite. This totally solved the problem, Mostert says, noting the CSAMs new MSI assessment tool uses video recordings tovideo graphic was especially helpful to indicate which move-get a digital scope of the work being performed and identifyments had negative impacts over time and which move-MSI risks for those tasks. A report will then be developed,ments were beneficial.outlining the critical, medium- and low-risk factors of theWe put this video report on a TV in our shop during a task with how the body is positioned. safety meeting and there was a real aha moment for the Its a very visual and comprehensive resource, says CSAMworkers, she says. They could really see, oh, thats how Im Client Services Advisor Matt Lothian. Once weve filmedaffecting my co-worker.the task, we produce a video that overlays red and greenLothian says hes seen the MSI assessment tool have similar graphics on top of the workers body to show the risk toimpact on many of the jobsites hes visited. Its a much each body part as they move. The report then outlines themore visual option than just talking about MSIs, he says, different risk areas and risk levels. and its so specific to the task. It really makes a difference in After reviewing the report, CSAM works directly with yourcommunicating and controlling the risks of MSIs.workers to develop a strategy to complete the high-riskLothian and the rest of CSAMs client services team can use tasks in a safer way. the assessment and report to create a customized toolbox FC WoodWorks Inc. is a COR Certified company thattalk for your workers.recently completed an MSI assessment with CSAM to help workers find a better way to lift sheets of plywood. Most ofFor more information and to request the tasks in their shop are one-person responsibilities, and workers are generally assisted with ergonomic workbenchesan assessment on your jobsite, visit and lifting arms, but this particular task is an exception as itconstructionsafety.ca/consulting-services.requires two workers to lift each sheet together.Issue 2 | Summer Edition | 2022 BUILD MANITOBA 27'