Research Exchange Series

The Research Exchange Series, which runs from October to May each year, is hosted by the Centre for Health & Safety Innovation.  It was developed as a way to bring key stakeholders together to increase knowledge transfer and exchange between the research community, Partners in Prevention, -  Health & Safety Ontario, Ministry of Labour, WSIB,  – and workplaces.

Each of the five sessions in the series, running approximately two hours in length, explores a current research topic or study. The 2010/2011 series covered a range of subjects and highlights of the sessions have been captured in the following videos:

• Benchmarking Leading Indicators for Injury Prevention (5000 Workplaces + Partners in Prevention)
  Institute for Work and Health (IWH) – Dr. Ben Amick
  
  Benchmarking Leading Indicators for injury prevention, otherwise known as the 5,000 Firms project, is one of the largest workplace prevention studies ever undertaken in Ontario. It focuses on understanding how the health, safety and disability policies and practices in organizations are related to injuries and illness. The aim is to develop a set of “leading indicators” that allow workplaces to assess health and safety performance and predict the likelihood of injuries and illnesses before they occur.  Watch this video to learn more on how Health & Safety Ontario is connecting with workplaces to make this happen.
  
  
• Nanotechnology
  Canadian Standards Association (CSA) – Brian Haydon
  Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) –  Renzo Dalla Via
  
  The session provided information on the many International Standards Organization (ISO) (Technical Committee 229) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) (Technical Committee 113) international standards for nanotechnologies under development collectively by 44 member countries, including Canada. These nano-standards will be available for voluntary use, and for reference in applicable regulations providing guidelines and rules in support of the commercialization of nanotechnologies, with due consideration of health, safety in the workplace, and environmental controls. Some standards are already published internationally, with select ones being adopted for use in Canada. Over 40 other projects are well underway in the international development process.
  
  
• Occupational skin disease
  The Centre for Research Expertise in Occupational Disease (CREOD) - Dr. Linn Holness
  
  The session focused on current CREOD knowledge translation (KT) of research efforts related to occupational skin disease.  Knowledge transition strategies employed for both individual research projects and for overall program results were reviewed.  In particular, the group explored the different needs of occupational health and safety system partners, and engaged in discussion of the types of knowledge products that would be most helpful for them and their organizations.
  
  
• Musculoskeletal disorder innovations in the construction sector
  Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD)  -  Dr. Desre Kramer
  Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA) – Enzo Garritano
  
  How can you persuade employers and workers in the construction sector to adopt new ways of doing work that will reduce their musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)? The research study discussed was initiated by a seed grant from CRE-MSD) with ongoing funding from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s Research Advisory Council (RAC), and is being conducted in collaboration with the IHSA Infrastructure Health and Safety Association. The study, which is now in its sixth year, is determining the best way to disseminate new ideas that can reduce exposure to MSD hazards.
  
  
• Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSCs) in Ontario’s acute healthcare sector
  Public Services Health & Safety Association (PSHSA) – Kathryn Nichol
  
  Even though JHSCs have been in existence in Ontario workplaces for almost 30 years and healthcare workers are at high risk for workplace injury, there has been little research done related to JHSC functioning in Ontario’s healthcare sector. This session described a two-phased study designed to examine the role, resources, structure and functioning of JHSCs in Ontario hospitals. The first phase, a cross sectional survey of JHSC co-chairs from all acute care hospitals in Ontario, is complete. Phase two, a qualitative study to examine the effectiveness and impact of JHSCs on healthcare worker health and safety, is currently underway and an interim report on activities to-date was shared.

The series is made possible by collaborative efforts, contributions and involvement of researchers and subject matter experts.   In 2010/2011 this included the Institute for Work and Health, Centre for Research Expertise in  Occupational Disease (CREOD), Centre for Research Expertise in Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and the following Health & Safety Ontario partners - Infrastructure Health & Safety Association, Public Services Health & Safety Association, and Workplace Safety & Prevention Services.

The Research Exchange Series takes place at the Centre for Health & Safety Innovation in Mississauga, however the sessions are offered in a webinar format to ensure that anyone located throughout Ontario can participate. For more information, or to be added to our distribution list for the 2011/2012 series which will begin in October 2011, please email info@tchsi.ca.