October 2017

The five essential skills for jobsite safety leaders? Find out at Nachemson 2017

What are the leading indicators of safety culture at construction worksites? And what five key skills should construction forepersons hone to be effective safety leaders? Come find out on November 1, when Dr. Linda Goldenhar of CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training delivers the annual Alf Nachemson Memorial Lecture. She will focus on the critical role of safety culture and leadership in improving safety outcomes in construction and other high-hazard sectors. The Nachemson lecture is a free, public event hosted annually by the Institute for Work & Health (IWH).

Sign up today

IWH 2016 Annual Report highlights stories of workplace change

The impact of IWH research on workplaces is the theme of the Institute’s 2016 Annual Report. In it, read about five workplaces that have used IWH research to better their occupational health and safety (OHS) or return-to-work (RTW) programming. The annual report also describes other IWH research in 2016 designed to support workplace change.

Download the report

Find and share MSD prevention research and resources this October

October is Global Ergonomics Month. Mark the month and raise awareness about preventing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) with research and resources from IWH.

• Share evidence-based videos on the effectiveness of resistance training to prevent arm, hand, shoulder, neck strains and pains and on effective programs for helping workers with MSDs return to work.
• Sign up to hear a talk by the Ontario Ministry of Labour’s chief ergonomist on a day in the life of a government ergonomist. (This presentation won’t be available afterwards as a slidecast, so you have to catch it live on October 17.)
• Check out other ergo month events offered by IWH’s partners in Ontario’s prevention system.

If you like the resources you find, share them with your network using the hashtag #WorkShouldntHurt.

Go to IWH’s MSD Prevention page

Celebrate Global Ergonomics Month with CRE-MSD

Join the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) for two free webinars and a free public lecture.

• On October 6, from noon to 1 p.m., Dr. David Frost and Dr. Tyson Beach present a webinar on how exercise can be used effectively.
• On October 26, CRE-MSD and the University of Waterloo’s Hallman Lecture Series offer a special public lecture by Dr. Jack Dennerlein, who will demystify ergonomics in the modern office.
• Close off the month on October 30 with a webinar by Dr. Diana De Carvalho on sitting: Is it really killing you?

See CRE-MSD events

CREOD project examines the health risks of working with 3D printers

The rapid growth in the use of 3D printers has raised the urgency to better understand the health impacts of regular exposure to ultrafine particles and volatile organic compounds. A research project by the Centre for Research Expertise in Occupational Disease (CREOD) examines the health effects of working with this technology. As outlined in a new CREOD Research Flash, Dr. Susan Tarlo and her colleagues surveyed 46 workers in over 17 locations to gather information on health concerns (respiratory symptoms, headaches, cracked skin) and the use of protective equipment. Results point to the need for two areas of work, one being enclosed working environments and the other being respiratory protection.

Learn more

Uyen Vu
Communications Associate
613-979-7742
uvu@iwh.on.ca