INSTRUCTIONS

Currently, there is no legislated, regulatory, or mandated directive for an Ergonomics Program for industrial workplaces. The only legislation governing ergonomics or Human Factors is covered under General Duty Clauses and the general obligations and duties of various workplace parties. There are many guidelines and even some standards (CSA Z142 for example), to aid workplaces in ergonomics, but no directives.

Typically, Ergonomic injuries or Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders do not result in Critical or Fatal Injuries. They do account for huge direct and indirect losses to companies from a WSIB perspective, and unacceptable personal loss and pain to the thousands of injured workers who may have to live with these injuries and illnesses for the rest of their lives.

As a Safety Professional in training, use the knowledge, experience, and insight you have already gained to take a position on this. You may either:

1. Defend the current state of regulatory and legislative porosity in regard to Ergonomics, or
2. Make a case as to why you think an Ergonomic Regulation or potential Bill for the OH&S Act is required.

Your position paper should:

Give sound logic as to the defense of your position,

Use any professional papers, articles, or presentations you find in your research to back your position, and

Give your personal opinion. This is a position paper, not a research-based investigatory paper. Your opinion, using personal experience as well as insights gained during this course counts. You do not need to back up your opinion with a properly researched peer-reviewed paper but with sound logic.

Be only 2-3 pages in length with a proper cover page.

CONCLUSION

REFERENCES