Research Projects Funded in 2000
Management, Work Organization, and Administration Effects on OH&S
A Survey of Disability Management Approaches in Ontario Workplaces.
This project aims to identify disability management programs that are available in Ontario workplaces, examine their relationship to return to work, and assess the effectiveness of best practices in workplace disability management.
Results
Principal Investigator: Renee M. Williams (McMaster University)
Co-Investigators: Muriel Westmorland (McMaster University); John Lavis, Harry Shannon (McMaster University, Institute for Work and Health); Benjamin Amick (University of Texas)
Two-Year Funding: $232,443
Organizational Factors, Management Commitment, and Workplace Safety
This project aims to understand changes in workplace policies, practices, and attitudes in the past ten years in manufacturing and retail establishments in Ontario, especially those related to occupational health and safety.
Results
Principal Investigator: Harry Shannon (McMaster University)
Co-Investigators: Lynne Lohfeld (McMaster University); John Gilbert (University of Toronto)
Two-Year Funding: $249, 977
Improving Work Organization to Reduce Injury and Illness: Social Services, Stress, Violence, and Workload.
This study will document and assess the organizational factors that contribute to injuries and illnesses in the restructured social services sector, and suggest realistic solutions.
Principal Investigator: Donna Baines (McMaster University)
Co-Investigators: Wayne Lewchuk (McMaster University); Anthony Pizzino, Margot Young (Canadian Union of Public Employees); Antti Saloniemi (University of Tampere [Finland]); Anne Sylvia Brooker (Institute for Health and Society)
Two-Year Funding: $148,996
Prevention of WMSD in the Ontario Clothing Industry: A Focus on Small Business.
This study will implement and evaluate ergonomics programs aimed at preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Ontario’s clothing industry.
Results
Principal Investigators: Richard Wells (University of Waterloo)
Co-Investigators: Jonathan Eaton, Tullia Marcolongo, Eric Frumin, Julianne Natale (Union of Needletrades, Industrial, and Textile Employees); Mickey Kerr, Sue Ferrier (Institute for Work & Health); Syed Naqvi (Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers)
Two-Year Funding: $250,240
Prevention of Work-Related Injuries
Acceptance Criteria for and Capabilities of Liners for Mitigating Ground Falls in Mines.
This study assessed the capabilities of spray-on polymer lining materials for preventing ground fall hazards due to seismic activity in mines.
Results
Principal Investigator: James F. Archibald (Queen’s University)
Key Investigator: P.D. Katsabanis (Queen’s University)
Two-Year Funding: $183,252
Dupuytren’s Contracture and Occupation: A Proposal for a Case-Control Study.
This project is a study of Dupuytren’s contracture, a disease of the palmar fascia resulting in thickening and contracture of fibrous bands on the palmar surface of the hands and fingers. The project will study the association between Dupuytren’s contracture and manual work.
Principal Investigator: Carolyn Levis (McMaster University)
Co-Investigators: Ted Haines, Achilleas Thoma, Karen Veltri, Stephen Walter, Charles Goldsmith (McMaster University); Gary Liss (Gage Occupational & Environmental Health Unit, University of Toronto); Cheryl Rook, Helen McRobbie (Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers); Susan Stock (Montreal Department of Public Health)
Two-Year Funding: $234,618
Exposure to Whole Body Vibration in Mining, Transportation, and Construction.
The study used a triaxial accelerometer to assess the exposure of the operators of various types of vehicles to whole body vibration in mining, transportation, and construction.
Results
Principal Investigator: Alan Salmoni (Laurentian University)
Co-Investigators: Joel Andersen (Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers); Tammy Eger (Mining and Aggregates Safety and Health association); Ted Gardiner (Battle Mountain Canada, Holloway Mine); Yves Lajoie, Andre Plamondon, Lloyd Reed (Laurentian University); Nancy Lightfoot (Northeastern Ontario Cancer Research Centre);
Kamlesh Prajapati (Boart Longyear, NorthBay)
Two-Year Funding: $108,440
Prevention of Work-Related Diseases
Evaluation of Work-Related Symptoms, Asthma, Sensitization, and Exposures among X-Ray Technologists.
This project studied occupational asthma in radiation technologists as a result of exposure to processing chemicals. The study explored whether radiological technologists have excess work-related respiratory, and adult onset, asthma compared to physiotherapists.
Results
Principal Investigator: Gary M. Liss (University of Toronto)
Co-Investigators: Mickey Kerr (Institute for Work and Health); Lisa McCaskell (Ontario Public Health Services Employees Union); James Purdham, Susan Tarlo (University of Toronto)
Two-Year Funding: $235,463
Mortality, Cancer Incidence, and Workplace Exposures among Ontario Construction Workers.
This study assessed the risk to construction workers exposed to a variety of toxic substances including asbestos, silica, cement, diesel fumes, and wood dust.
Results
Principal Investigator: Murray Finkelstein (McMaster University)
Co-Investigators: Dave Verma, Lawrence A. Kurtz (McMaster University); Dru Sahai (Construction Safety Association of Ontario); Joe DeWit (Asbestos Workers Local 95); Evelyn Stefov (Ministry of Labour)
Two-Year Funding: $272,500
Organizational Change and the Health and Well-Being of Home Care Workers.
This study uncovers and provides new information to improve the prevention of work-related injury and illnesses in home care work. The results can assist employers, policy makers and workers in preventing work-related diseases and injuries.
Results
Principal Investigator: Margaret Denton (McMaster University)
Co-Investigators: Isik Urla Zeytinoglu, Sharon Webb (McMaster University)
Two-Year Funding: $221,044
Reproductive Health among Nickel Refinery Workers
This study, to be conducted in the Kola Peninsula of Russia, hopes to determine whether occupational exposure to nickel compounds is causally linked to pregnancy loss, pregnancy complications, and reduced birth weight. The WSIB is funding 50% of the study’s budgeted costs.
Results
Principal Investigator: Evert Nieboer (McMaster University)
Co-Investigators: Valeri Tchachtchine (Kola Research Laboratory for Occupational Health [Russia]); Eiliv Lund, Jon Oyvind Odland (University of Tromso [Norway]), Yngvar Thomassen (National Instititute of Occupational Health [Oslo, Norway]), Steven Schrader (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [USA]), Ted Haines (McMaster University)
Two-Year Funding: $150,000 (co-funded with the Nickel Producers Environmental Research Association)
Occupational Exposure to Metalworking Fluids: An Assessment of Analytical Methods and Size Selective Air Sampling Techniques.
This project will study occupational exposures to metalworking fluids associated with respiratory and allergic skin disorders.
Results
Principal Investigator: Dave K. Verma (McMaster University)
Co-Investigators: Don Shaw, Lorraine Shaw (McMaster University)
Two-Year Funding: $153, 000
Respiratory Disease Related to Metalworking Fluid Exposure.
This project will examine the association between asthma and metalworking fluid particularly with respect to certain exposure circumstances, locations, and work practices.
Principal Investigator: Ted Haines (McMaster University)
Co-Investigators: John Oudyk (Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers), David Muir (McMaster University); Gary Liss (University of Toronto); Freddy Hargreave (McMaster University); Mark Jany, David Fishbein (St. Catharines Hospital); Jim D’Arcy (General Motors Research & Development Centre)
Two-Year Funding: $299,882
Improvement in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation
Development of a New Tool to Assess Disability in Cumulative Trauma Disorders.
This study will test the sensitivity, reliability, and validity of a proposed software tool for the early detection of cumulative trauma disorders.
Results
Principal Investigator: Brenda Brouwer
Key Investigator: Matt Faris (Queen’s University)
Two-Year Funding: $65,350
Return to Work and Fair Compensation of Injured Workers
Prevalence of Return to Work Programs in the Manufacturing Sector, as Defined by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
This project will describe the prevalence of, and component parts of return to work programs within the manufacturing sector of Ontario workplaces.
Results
Principal Investigator: Sharon Switzer-McIntyre (University of Toronto)
Co-Investigators: D. Linn Holness, Susan Jaglal, Cheryl Cott (University of Toronto)
Two-Year Funding: $102,089
Connecting for Change: Injured Workers in Northwestern Ontario and the Effectiveness of Peer Support.
This project assessed the effectiveness of peer support for injured workers in Northwestern Ontario, determined the factors facilitating or impeding access to peer supports, and document information and educational strategies that would assist injured workers in accessing peer support resources.
Results
Principal Investigator: Sharon Dale Stone (Lakehead University)
Co-Investigators: Thomas Dunk, Mary Ellen Hill (Lakehead University); Eugene Lefrancois, Ken Kawchuk (Injured Workers ’ Support Group) ; Steve Mant is (Canadian Injured Workers Alliance); Bart Pilato (New Directions Workers)
One-Year Funding: $79,937 | | |
