Research Projects Funded in 2004
Management Practices and Work Organization
Prevention of Work-Related Injuries
Prevention of Work-Related Diseases
Improvement in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation
Return to Work, Fair Compensation of Injured Workers, and Appropriate Assessment of Employers
Management Practices and Work Organization
Employment Strain: The Hidden Costs of Precarious Employment
The Karasek ‘job strain’ model only partially captures the work organization charac-teris-tics of precarious employment relationships. Through the concept of ‘employment strain,’ this project will develop an alternative approach, and will examine the demands associated with finding and keeping work, the need to balance the demands of multiple employers, the level of control over future employment prospects, the extent of continuous renegotiation of the terms and conditions of employment, and levels of support in a context of temporary social relationships.
Principal Investigator: Wayne Lewchuk (McMaster University)
Co-Investigators: Andrew King (United Steel Workers of America); Michael Quinlan (University of New South Wales); Leah Vosko (York University)
Sponsoring Institution: McMaster University
Two-Year Funding: $285,900
The Logic of Practice: An Ethnographic Study of Front-Line Service Work with Small Businesses in Ontario's Workplace Health Insurance Agency
This project aims to generate an empirically-based understanding of how front-line WSIB staff working in the small business sector actually conceive and accomplish their work (including their professional and hands-on practical knowledge, interactions, and practices), and to draw out the implication of their practices for the OHS system, workers, and employers.
Principal Investigator: Joan M. Eakin (University of Toronto)
Co-Investigators: Ellen MacEachen, Judy Clarke (Institute for Work & Health)
Sponsoring Institution: University of Toronto
Two-Year Funding: $52,691
Using Virtual Reality in Mine Rescue Operations
This project will research the possibility of adapting virtual reality technology for use by mine rescue groups. This development project will create a virtual 3D mine model, and show how the model can be used by control groups to verbally guide underground mine rescue teams during emergencies.
Principal Investigator: Paul G. Dunn (Laurentian University)
Co-Investigators: Tammy Eger (Laurentian University)
Sponsoring Institution: Laurentian University
One-Year Funding: $30,000
Evaluation and Sustainability of Ergonomic Interventions
Earlier projects by this research team have developed a framework and measures for assessing the processes and outcomes of participatory ergonomic interventions in manu-facturing plants in Ontario. This project aims to develop health and financial performance evaluation approaches for lagging indicators (effort, discomfort, work disability), and to assess the sustainability of the parti-cipatory ergonomics programs that have already been initiated.
Principal Investigator: Richard P. Wells (University of Waterloo)
Co-Investigators: Donald Cole, Emile Tompa, Dee Kramer (Institute for Work & Health); Syed Naqvi (Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers); Mardon Frazer, Nancy Theberge (University of Waterloo)
Sponsoring Institution: University of Waterloo
Two-Year Funding: $148,600
Workplace Incivility and Other Work Factors: Effects on Psychological Distress and Health
This study will examine how problematic issues in work life may affect mental and physical health, and the effect of disrespectful relations at work in particular. Issues of respect and incivility have recently been of increasing interest in work organization research, and ‘incivility’ has been suggested to be a strong predictor of various work-related and health outcomes.
Principal Investigator: Harry S. Shannon (McMaster University)
Co-Investigators: Ted Haines (McMaster University); Lilia Cortina (University of Michigan)
Sponsoring Institution: McMaster University
One-Year Funding: $112,950
Physiological Demands of A Firefighter Candidate Recruitment Test and Relationship to Firefighting
This project aims to quantify the physiological demands of firefighting tasks and of a firefighter recruitment testing protocol by measurement of oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide output, ventilatory patterns, and heart rate.
Principal Investigator: Richard L. Hughson (University of Waterloo)
Co-Investigators: Michael T. Sharratt (University of Waterloo)
Sponsoring Institution: University of Waterloo
Two-Year Funding: $193,256
Spinal Cord Injury: Determining Rehabilitation Costs and Employability in Non-Medicare Benefits Programs
The aim of this feasibility study is to develop a model of benefits (health and rehabilitation services) and outcome (employability) that will permit comparison between two funding programs — the WSIB and auto insurance benefits — for spinal column injuries. The model will be used for a future national study.
Principal Investigators: Molly Verrier, Viivi Riis (University of Toronto)
Co-Investigators: Susan Jaglal (University of Toronto); Jan Walker (West Park Health Centre); Emil Tompa (Institute for Work & Health)
Sponsoring Institution: University of Toronto
One-Year Funding: $27,892
Prevention of Work-Related Injuries
A Comparison of Posture and Back and Upper Extremity Muscle Activity during Standardized Computer Work between Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women
This project will assess the effectiveness of a desk board designed to provide arm support during computer work on the back and the upper extremity of women in late pregnancy.
Principal Investigator: Geneviève A. Dumas (Queen’s University)
Co-Investigators: Andrew B. Leger (Queen’s University); Michael McGrath (Kingston General Hospital); Andre Plamondon, Alain Delisle (Institut de recherche en santé et en sécurité du travail)
Sponsoring Institution: Queen’s University
Two-Year Funding: $113,661
Toward Reducing Injuries in Lift Trucks: Understanding Eye Movement, and Line-of-Sight Impairments Due to Postural Constraints Imposed by Lift Truck Operation
Poor lines of sight often require lift truck operators to assume awakward postures in order to maintain visibility; these awkward postures are associated with musculoskeletal injuries. This project will gather line-of-sight data on different models of lift trucks, and then use these data in computer simulations to suggest line-of-sight improvements to lift truck design.
Principal Investigator: Sylvain G. Grenier (Laurentian University)
Co-Investigators: Tammy R. Eger (Laurentian University); Jonathan Tyson (Pulp and Paper Health and Safety Association); Lori Ann Vallis (University of Guelph)
Sponsoring Institution: Laurentian University
Two-Year Funding: $138,600
Implementing Mechanical Devices in the Drywall Finishing Trade to Prevent Falls, Musculoskeletal Disorders, and Occupational Disease
This project aims to evaluate the potential ergonomics, hygiene, safety, and productivity benefits that can be realized by adopting various alternative drywall finishing systems.
Principal Investigator: Greg Smith (International Union of Painters & Allied Trades D.C. 46)
Co-Investigators: Hugh Laird (Interior Systems Contractors Association of Ontario); Peter Vi, Dru Sahai, Enzo Garritano (Construction Safety Association of Ontario)
Sponsoring Institution: International Union of Painters & Allied Trades D.C. 46
Two-Year Funding: $238,420
Prevention of Work-Related Diseases
Compensatory Stepping in Response to Postural Perturbation in a Group of Working-Age, Unilateral, Transtibial Amputees
The aim of this research is to gain a clearer understanding of the degree of impairment resulting from unilateral, transtibial amputation. The findings will help assess whether individuals with unilateral transtibial amputations can return to their previous occupations or need retraining in other areas.
Principal Investigator: Timothy V. Pauley (West Park Healthcare Centre)
Co-Investigators: Brian E. Maki (Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre); Michael Devlin (West Park Healthcare Centre)
Sponsoring Institution: West Park Healthcare Centre
One-Year Funding: $18,020
Comparison of Cause-Specific Mortality Rates among Workers in the Ontario Construction Sector
This research will assess associations between occupational exposures in the construction sector and mortality from specific causes using internal comparisons (construction worker subpopulations).
Principal Investigator: Murray M. Finkelstein (McMaster University)
Sponsoring Institution: McMaster University
One-Year Funding: $33,965
Characterization of Microbial Contaminants in Metalworking Fluids
This project will determine the relevance of gravimetric air sampling methods to the assess-ment of worker exposures to microbial contaminants and their derivatives originating from metalworking fluids (MWFs). The project will identify high-risk workplace processes and procedures for MWF-related exposure to bioaerosols.
Principal Investigator: James Scott (University of Toronto)
Co-Investigators: James T. Purdham (University of Toronto); Dave K.Verma (McMaster University); Sigmund Krajden (St. Joseph’s Health Centre)
Sponsoring Institution: University of Toronto
Two-Year Funding: $281,142
Functional and Cellular Alterations in Work-Related Muscle Pain
This research aims to elucidate the mechanisms and functional consequences underlying work-related musculoskeletal disorders with particular regard to repetitive strain injury. The research is based on the premise that diagnosis, prevention, and rehabilitation strate-gies are in large part unsuccessful because of insufficient characterization of the muscle cellular pathologies involved. The research builds on an earlier feasibility study and hopes to identify conclusively the nature of cellular pathology.
Principal Investigator: Howard J. Green (University of Waterloo)
Co-Investigators: Don A. Ranney, A. Russell Tupling (University of Waterloo)
Sponsoring Institution: University of Waterloo
Two-Year Funding: $276,202
Improvement in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation
The Electrophysiological Characterization of Muscles Affected by Repetitive Strain Injury
The study will apply a comprehensive and objective neurophysiological analysis to upper limbs affected by repetitive strain injury to characterize repetitive strain injury as being a myopathic condition, a neuropathic condition, neither, or both.
Principal Investigator: Linda B. McLean (Queen’s University)
Co-Investigators: Daniel W. Stashuk (University of Waterloo); Timothy Doherty (St. Joseph’s Health Care)
Sponsoring Institution: Queen’s University
Two-Year Funding: $130,600
Modelling Health and Work Outcomes Following a Work-Related Upper Extremity Disorder: The Role of Person, Injury, Work Demands, and Work Organization
This study aims to define the relative importance of the person, work demands, work-injury, and the workplace organization as mediators of health and work participation. This information will be used to develop clinical pathways for diagnosis and treatment of the injured worker based on their relative risk of experiencing difficulty returning to work.
Principal Investigator: Joy C. MacDermid (McMaster University)
Co-Investigators: Harry S. Shannon (McMaster University); Robert McMurty, James H. Roth (St. Joseph’s Health Centre); Ben C. Amick III (University of Texas)
Sponsoring Institution: McMaster University
Two-Year Funding: $118,304
Rotator Cuff Repair Failures: Causes and Solutions
Roughly half of rotator cuff repair surgeries fail in the months after repair. This research is premised on the hypothesis that a massive remodelling of the tendon after surgery weakens the surgical construct. The study will conduct a series of experiments in animal models to test this hyopthesis. The results should translate into recommendations to increase the success rate of rotator cuff repairs
Principal Investigator: Guy Trudel (University of Ottawa)
Co-Investigators: Hans Unthoff (University of Ottawa); David S. Backman (Institute for Aerospace Research, National Research Council); Martin Lecompte (The Ottawa Hospital)
Sponsoring Institution: University of Ottawa
Two-Year Funding: $280,005
Return to Work, Fair Compensation of Injured Workers, and Appropriate Assessment of Employers
Predictors of the Incidence of Disability Income Insurance among Ontario Labour Force Participants, 1994-2004 (2004)
This project will investigate the incidence of disability income insurance received by Ontario labour force participants over the period 1994-2004, the sources of disability income insurance received by Ontario labour force participants who become disabled, and the impact of disability on the economic circumstances of households.
Principal Investigator: Cameron A. Mustard (Institute for Work & Health)
Sponsoring Institution: Institute for Work & Health
Two-Year Funding: $161,000
What Are the Key Modifiable Personal and Environmental Factors that Prevent Disability in People with Back Pain? A Consensus using the Delphi and Q-Card Methodologies
This project will attempt to reach evidence-based consensus among a panel of 24 inter-na-tional-ly renowned researchers and Ontario stakeholders on the relative impact and modi-fiability of personal and environmental factors that prevent participation restrictions in people with back pain.
Principal Investigator: Jaime Guzman (Institute for Work & Health)
Co-Investigators: John W. Frank (University of Toronto); Jill Hayden, Andrea Furlan, John Francis Flannery (Institute for Work & Health); J. David Cassidy (Toronto Western Hospital Research Institute); Patrick Loisel (Université de Sherbrooke)
Sponsoring Institution: Institute for Work & Health
One-Year Funding: $29,504
Determinants of Return-To-Work: Applying the Readiness for Change Model
The project proposes to apply the conceptual framework of J. O. Prochaska’s ‘Readiness for Change’ model to the return-to-work process. This will be the first attempt to apply the model — which was initially developed with respect to health-risk behaviours, where it has received strong empirical validation — to the return-to-work process.
Principal Investigator: Renée-Louise Franche (Institute for Work & Health)
Co-Investigators: Gail Hepburn, F. Curtis Breslin, Cameron Mustard, Sheilah Hogg-Johnson, Pierre Coté (Institute for Work & Health); John Frank (Canadian Institutes of Health Research)
Sponsoring Institution: Institute for Work & Health
Two-Year Funding: $278,320
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