Research Projects Funded in 1999
Management, Work Organization, and Administration Effects on OH&S
CAW/McMaster Work-Related Health Risks Study
This study developed solutions to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses by identifying key aspects of work organization affecting the health and safety of workers in the automobile, automobile parts, and aerospace sectors.
Results
Principal Investigator: Wayne Lewchuk (McMaster University)
Co-Investigators: Ted Haines (McMaster University, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers); Donald Cole (McMaster University); Mickey Kerr, Terry Sullivan (Institute for Work and Health); Paul Landsbergis (Cornell University); David Robertson (Canadian Auto Workers); Peter Schnall (University of California)
Two-Year Funding: $275,000
Evaluation of Participatory Ergonomic Interventions in Large and Small Business.
This study assessed the effects of participatory ergonomic interventions on risk reduction and other benefits against costs.
Results
Principal Investigator: Richard P. Wells (University of Waterloo)
Co-Investigators: Larry Brawley, Mardon Frazer, Robert Kerton, Patrick Neumann, Robert Norman (University of Waterloo); Donald Cole, Mickey Kerr, Harry Shannon (Institute for Work and Health)
Two-Year Funding: $299,431
Dealing with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Ontario Clothing Industry.
This study identified and promoted organizational and management practices, including ergonomic measures, related to lower rates of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the Ontario clothing industry.
Results
Principal Investigator: Jonathan Eaton (Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees)
Co-Investigators: Sue Ferrier, Mickey Kerr (Institute for Work and Health); Jennifer Gunning, Eric Frumin (Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees); Peter Vi (Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers)
One-Year Funding: $89,500
The Role of the Supervisor in Accident Prevention.
This study will help strengthen workplace supervisory practices to improve accident prevention by examining barriers to the growth of the Internal Responsibility System in the mining industry and developing performance-enhancing strategies.
Results
Principal Investigator: John Lewko (Laurentian University)
Co-Investigators: Jose A. Blanco (Blanco Mialhe Association); Robert J. Flynn (University of Ottawa); David W. Gillingham (Dublin Institute of Technology); Donald W. Hine, Kenneth C. Teed (Laurentian University); Nancy E. Lightfoot (Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre)
Two-Year Funding: $206,743
Prevention of Work-Related Injuries
Underground Mobile Trackless Equipment Visibility Investigation.
This study helped to improve the safety of left-hand drive mining vehicles by recommending modifications that will help reduce glare and other barriers to visibility for vehicle operators.
Results
Principal Investigator: Alan Salmoni (Laurentian University)
Co-Investigators: Jim Cluff (Mines and Aggregates Safety and Health Association); Tammy Eger (Mines and Aggregates Safety and Health Association/Laurentian University); Yves Lajoie, Robert Whissell (Laurentian University)
Two-Year Funding: $41,728
The Change from 8- to 10-Hour Shifts at an Underground Mine: Identifying the Effects on Sleep, Performance, Safety, and Social Interactions, and Implementing a Workplace Promotion Program.
This study assessed the safety and viability of the change from an 8- to a 10-hour shift schedule at an underground mine.
Results
Principal Investigator: Lawrence Reinish (The Toronto Hospital/University Health Network)
Co-Investigators: J. Beyers, L. Picard (Sudbury & District Health Unit); R.J. Heslegrave (University of Toronto/St. Michael’s Hospital); C.M. Shapiro (University of Toronto/Toronto Western Hospital)
Two-Year Funding: $226,093
Hearing Protectors, Safety Glasses, and Respiratory Protective Equipment in Combination: Effect on Sound Attenuation.
This study developed guidelines for the choice of safe combinations of equipment to protect hearing, vision, and respiratory functions for noise-exposed workers who routinely wear hearing protectors and other protective gear.
Results
Principal Investigator: Sharon Mildred Abel (Mount Sinai Hospital)
Key Investigator: Andrea Sass-Kortsak (Gage Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Toronto)
Two-Year Funding: $107,885
Prevention of Work-Related Diseases
A Collaborative Investigation of the Incidence of Cancer among Workers in an Auto Parts Plant.
This study will investigate rates of cancer among former employees of the Bendix parts plant, and create opportunities for workers to develop the skills necessary to investigate possible adverse health outcomes resulting from their work.
Results
Principal Investigator: Roland Wong (Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers)
Co-Investigators: Ted Haines (McMaster University); Paul Sampara (Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers); G.Tomlinson (University of Toronto)
One-Year Funding: $71,895
Occupational Histories of Essex County Cancer Patients.
The study will examine the potential occupational risk factors for the development of laryngeal and breast cancer in patients to help document and identify occupational and environmental risk factors, and provide preventive strategies.
Results
Principal Investigator: Kevin M. Gorey (University of Windsor)
Co-Investigators: James Brophy, Deborah Hellyer (Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers); Margaret M. Keith (Windsor Occupational Health Information Service); Ethan Laukkanen (Windsor Regional Cancer Centre)
Two-Year Funding: $248,000
Outcomes in Contact Dermatitis.
This study will describe preventive strategies and return to work processes used by workers with contact dermatitis and will evaluate intervention programs that will help reduce the incidence of this disease and its adverse effects.
Results
Principal Investigator: D. Linn Holness (St. Michael’s Hospital)
One-Year Funding: $61,280
Effects of Job Strain, Hospital Organizational Factors, and Individual Characteristics on Work-Related Disability among Nurses.
This study documented the work-related health status of registered nurses in Ontario’s acute care hospitals, and developed validated strategies that can improve the work life and health of registered nurses.
Results
Co-Principal Investigators: Judith Shamian (Mount Sinai Hospital); Linda O’Brien-Pallas (University of Toronto)
Co-Investigators: Mickey Kerr, Mieke Koehoorn, Sheliah Hogg-Johnson (Institute for Work and Health); Harry Shannon (McMaster University); Donna Thomson (WHO Collaborating Centre/Mount Sinai Hospital); Linda Aiken, Julie Solcholski (University of Pennsylvania)
Two-Year Funding: $269,725
Continuous Monitoring of Isocyanate Monomer.
This study compared the performance of detectors for the monitoring of isocyanate monomers to help increase the protection of workers from overexposure.
Results
Principal Investigator: James Purdham (University of Toronto)
Key Investigator: Susan Tarlo (University of Toronto)
One-Year Funding: $36,268
Evaluation of Diesel Particulate Filter Systems at Inco’s Stobie Mine in Sudbury.
This study will develop particulate filter systems selection criteria of sufficient quality and reliability to allow the mining industry to achieve the lowest possible diesel particulate matter emissions in underground hardrock mines.
Results
Principal Investigator: Jozef Stachulak (Inco Limited, Diesel Emissions Evaluations Program)
Co-Investigators: M. Grenier (CANMET Mining & Mineral Sciences Laboratory Division); A. Mayer (Consultant)
Two-Year Funding: $100,000
Improvement in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation
Study to Improve Diagnostic Methods for Repetitive Strain Injuries such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
This study will work to improve the accuracy and usefulness of laboratory tests of nerve function use to diagnose and screen for peripheral nerve injury in manual workers.
Results
Principal Investigator: Ron House (St. Michael’s Hospital)
Key Investigator: Michael Wills (St. Michael’s Hospital)
Two-Year Funding: $ 121,010
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — Morbidity and Management Outcomes in Ontario.
This study assessed the various treatments and predictors of carpal tunnel syndrome to help decrease the cost of this illness for the employer, and the debilitating discomfort for the worker.
Principal Investigator: Ralph Manktelow (Toronto General Hospital)
Co-Investigators: P. Binhammer, J.P. Szalai (Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre); V. Bril (Toronto General Hospital)
Two-Year Funding: $205,025
Back Pain and Work during Pregnancy: Identification of Problems and Biomechanical Analysis.
This study identified tasks that are problematic for pregnant women in the hospital and academic sectors, and evaluate factors associated with pregnancy that increase back pain.
Results
Principal Investigator: Genevieve Dumas (Queen’s University)
Co-Investigators: Robert Jensen, Andre Plamondon (Laurentian University); Michael McGrath, Joan Tranmer, Caroline Weber, Andy Leger, J. Terry Smith (Queen’s University)
Two-Year Funding: $127,550
Towards Developing Better Rehabilitation Protocols for Low Back Injured Workers.
This study established the markers of good spinal health and the avoidance of injury by identifying workers at risk and opportunities for preventive training.
Results
Principal Investigator: Stuart Michael McGill (University of Waterloo)
Co-Investigator: Jacek Cholewicki (Yale University)
Two-Year Funding: $108,709
Assessment of a Person’s Ability to Function at Work.
This study documented the varied assessment practices used to determine the functional abilities of workers with soft tissue injuries.
Results
Principal Investigator: Susan Strong (McMaster University)
Co-Investigators: Susan Baptiste, Donald Cole, Harry Shannon (McMaster University); Judy Clarke, Rhoda Reardon (Institute for Work and Health); Edward Gibson (McMaster University)
Two-Year Funding: $227,696
Return to Work and Fair Compensation of Injured Workers
The Needs and Experiences of Injured Workers: A Participatory Research Process.
This study documented the shared concerns of injured workers who have not been able to return to work and believe they have faced barriers to adequate and fair recognition and compensation for their injuries.
Results
Principal Investigator: Bonnie Kirsh (University of Toronto)
Co-Investigators: Barbara Beardwood (York University); Michael Polanyi (Institute for Work and Health); Lynn Cockburn, Pat McKee (University of Toronto); Karl Crever (Ontario Network of Injured Workers); Costanza Duran (Injured Workers’ Consultants); Catherine Fenech (Injured Workers); Alfred Jean-Baptiste (East End Literacy); Gerry LeBlanc (United Steelworkers of America)
Two-Year Funding: $130,266
Return to Work in Small Workplaces: Workers’ and Employers’ Perspectives.
This study furthered our understanding of the return to work process in workplaces employing fewer than 50 workers from the perspective of both injured workers and employers.
Results
Principal Investigator: Joan M. Eakin (University of Toronto)
Co-Investigators: David Etlin (Toronto Western Hospital)
Two-Year Funding: $155,546 | | |
