1. Let’s Talk Safety!
Sprains and Strains

2. The Way You Move
Ergonomics looks at how people interact with tools and equipment to help avoid chronic sprain and strain injuries
Chronic sprains and strains are caused by long-term repetitive motion; this is different than acute or instantaneous sprains caused by trips or falls
Risk factors for chronic or repetitive injuries:
Frequency – how often we repeat the same motion
Force – the amount of force a task repeatedly puts on our bodies
Posture – how we sit and stand
Repeated activities and motions can stress muscles, ligaments and tendons
In manufacturing, the neck, back, shoulders, arms, wrists and fingers are most at risk
In non-manufacturing, shoulders, arms, wrists and backs are most at risk

3. It’s More Than A Few Aches And Pains
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the U.S. nearly two-thirds of injuries are the result of chronic strains to wrists, elbows or shoulders
In Canada, two million people suffer from chronic or repetitive strain injuries and more than half are work-related¹
In the U.K, 41 percent of all work-related illnesses in 2016 involved chronic strains²
According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, chronic strain injuries account for the longest absences from work among workplace illnesses and injuries
¹ UFCW Canada
² Labour Force Survey

4. Avoid The Pain Manufacturing
At GM, every manufacturing job is evaluated during the design phase of a program
Tasks are designed to work for the majority of operators, taking a range of body statures into account
Follow standardized work procedures to help avoid injury
Don’t work faster than you must to help avoid injury
Move. Staying in one position for long periods causes stress
Take advantage of breaks; give your muscles, joints and tendons time to relax
Speak up: If you have pain or a sudden job change that causes you a problem, talk to your team leader. Help is available

5. Avoid The Pain Non-manufacturing
Take GM’s self- assessment test to determine if your work station is ergonomically correct for you
Move: Get up and walk around to give your muscles, tendons and joints time to rest
Speak up: If you have pain, talk to your team leader. Help is available