Bulletin
BC Transit’s Musculoskeletal (MSK) Discomfort Survey Results
January 8, 2019
To: All MoveUP members at BC Transit
The survey was completed by 35 BC Transit members and results demonstrate that 83% of survey takers have felt MSK discomfort while performing their jobs. While working, 64% have mild to major low back discomfort, 44% have mild to moderate left shoulder discomfort, and 32% have moderate to major neck discomfort.
The three most significant areas of MSK problems result from prolonged standing on coaches while in motion, lack of ergonomically sound work stations, and emptying fareboxes. Of the members who feel MSK symptoms, 32% have missed work because of the symptoms.
Some suggestions on how to improve work conditions include scheduling and alternating duties to minimize prolonged standing on moving coaches and having ergonomic assessments done for those working with computers for most of their work shifts (and getting ergonomically sound chairs). Also, making the vaults more accessible and having an alternative to empty fareboxes (like a robotic farebox).
These results highlight areas of concern at BC Transit that should be reviewed, discussed, and eliminated (if that isn’t possible, then minimized) via the local OH&S Committees. One way the OH&S Committee can effect change is to give the employer a written recommendation with solutions.
If you’d like to see your local OH&S Committee take these issues forward with the goal of preventing MSK injuries, contact the Worker Co-Chair of your local OH&S Committee. Worker Co-Chairs can contact Niki Schnurr at nschnurr@moveuptogether.ca if they would like to obtain a summary of survey results to use for their OH&S Committee work or to discuss options to bring these safety issues forward.
Please see the summary attached here for more specific survey results.
In Solidarity,
Niki Schnurr, WCB Appeals Representative & OHS Coordinator
Parm Sandhar, Union Representative