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Health, Safety & Environment

Ergonomics is the science of fitting the work environment to the people who do the work. It looks at the interaction between humans and other aspects of the work environment, and strives to match the abilities and characteristics of people with the tasks they perform.

Ergonomic hazards can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD's), which can develop as a result of overuse of body tissues through awkward, repetitive and/or forceful movements. One of the goals of ergonomics is to design tasks to achieve optimum performance of a task while minimizing the risk of injury or discomfort.

UW's Ergonomics Program was developed to provide a resource to help staff and faculty correct ergonomic issues in their individual work areas, and through the Safety Office, provides education and ergonomic assessments upon request.

Further Information

  • Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (1996). Office Ergonomics Safety Guide. (Publication No. P96-8E). Hamilton, ON: Author
  • Canadian Standards Association (2000). Guideline on Office Ergonomics. (Publication No. CAN/CSA - Z412-00). Toronto, ON: Author