Course Description
This foundation course provides a basic understanding of the field of ergonomics and how to apply it to assist with injury prevention in the workplace. It will explore the relationship between workplace design and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in addition to learning about specific hazard analysis checklists and tools, their results, and implications for workplace design. The course will conclude by examining reliable methods of developing and implementing actions to prevent MSDs from a workplace systems perspective based on a participatory approach.
Course Outline
Each week has a one-hour online live session with the instructor. There is a total of four hours of live sessions in this course. Students who are absent for a live session will have access to a recording.
- Week 1: Overview of Ergonomics / Muscle Physiology and MSDs
- Week 2: Recognizing Hazards Related to Musculoskeletal Disorders / Primary MSD Hazards / Gripping and Secondary Hazards
- Week 3: MMH Hazards
- Week 4: Office Ergonomics Awareness
What You Will Learn
- Provide you with an in-depth look into the field of ergonomics
- Introduce you to a framework for successful MSD prevention
- Learn about the factors that can contribute to:
- musculoskeletal disorders
- accidents and injuries
- psychosocial stress
- decreased productivity, quality, etc.
- reduced human performance
- Provide you with the knowledge to help you identify basic hazards that can lead to injury in workplaces using several systems for assessing injury risk.
- Learn about human anthropometry and how this can help with the specifications of tools and equipment to fit employees better to improve safety.
Notes
By enrolling in this course, you will be automatically enrolled in the Certificate in Ergonomics Program Management. This introductory course is a prerequisite to all the other courses in the certificate.
The Faculty of OLCD recommends an intermediate level of English language proficiency for the most effective learning and participation in our online and face-to-face courses. A list of the minimum recommended scores on some common English tests can be found on our website. If you have questions about your English language proficiency and ability to succeed in this course, please contact openlearning@dal.ca.
Recommended For
- Those responsible for occupational health & safety within office spaces, manufacturing operations, processing industries, business service sectors, transportation industries, and health-care facilities including:
- health & safety co-ordinators
- OH&S nurses
- physiotherapists
- occupational therapists
- industrial hygienists
- engineers
- managers
- supervisors
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- Certificate in Ergonomic Program Management : Required
David Chiasson, M.Sc., CPE works for Ergonomic Systems Associates Inc. (ESA). ESA is Atlantic Canada’s leading human performance consulting company specializing in Ergonomics. David has over eighteen years of experience helping corporations and government departments improve their performance. He has done this by helping companies identify design issues that lead to poor performance and injury while working with them to develop and implement practical and effective solutions that improve the design, set-up, and organization of work systems, spaces, equipment, and tasks. David has a Master of Science degree with a specialization in Ergonomics, is a member of the Association of Canadian Ergonomists (ACE), and is a Board Certified Professional Ergonomist as awarded by the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE).