Easier, More Convenient Use

The Office Ergo Calculator, Anthropometric Calculator, and Cold Stress Calculator have all been updated and revised. Previously they were downloadable programs in Excel or Power Point.  Errors could occur in these calculators depending on repeated opening of the page and Windows security features. Use of the calculators did not require login and information could not be tracked or updated.

The Cold Stress, Anthropometric and Office Ergo Calculators are now in a web based format and a mobile APP exists for each. The Anthropometric Calculator has improved graphics and re-organization of tables, and can now be exported to the Office Ergo Calculator. The Office Ergo Calculator has improved audio, graphics, and video. Its options now include metric or imperial measurements, keyboard tray selection (height adjustable, on desk), and dual monitors. Variables now include monitor distance and arm length.

The Keyboard Shortcut Tutorial was PowerPoint based and in the latest update was turned into a web-based format with a mobile app and enhanced video and graphics. A landing page allows the user an introduction to the tool and choice of operating system (Mac or Windows) and Language (English or French).

Go to Tutorial

A New OHCOW Service Makes Learning Easier

Office ergonomics is more important now than it has ever been before in our efforts to decrease and/or eliminate musculoskeletal disorders. Many workplaces do not have the financial resources (or time) to correctly train their workers in ergonomics, and specifically to identify and correct office set-up and use challenges.  Building on the popular Office Ergonomics Ergo Reference Guide, the Office Ergonomics e-Learning Course breaks down the key ergonomic principles of workstation components into modules that allow users to progress at their own pace, while learning how to recognize, assess, and control the ergonomic hazards related to computer work wherever it is done.

A new web-based app from OHCOW that allows you to accurately and efficiently capture the Physical, Sensory, Cognitive and Psychosocial demands of any job. This new online tool allows you to select the demands that are relevant to the job you are assessing and then steps you through each and every section in detail. After creating a quick job profile, you set up the relevant tasks and assign the various task elements. You can even include photos to enhance the job record. Additional sections include:

• Administrative Considerations
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Tools, Equipment, and Materials
• Environmental Considerations
• Strength Demands
• Body Posture Frequency
• Sensory Demands
• Cognitive Demands
• Psychosocial Factors

You use simple checklists, picklists and text fields to enter information and you can even red flag items that are of concern.

Once all sections are finalized, you are presented with a complete Job Demands Analysis (JDA) that can be saved for future re-use and downloaded as a PDF for reference and record keeping purposes.

GO TO JOB ASSESS

An Advanced Tool to Protect Workers

On November 3 2023, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers introduced the Silica Control Tool (SCT) a tool that will help protect workers from lung disease caused by inhaling the dust of crystalline silica, which is found in sand, rock, gravel, concrete, brick, stone, mortar, granite, glass, ceramics and many other materials. This is year one of a five-year plan. The Tool’s user interface has undergone a facelift for Ontario and has been fully customized to meet Ontario’s health and safety regulation and standards. The SCT is available at no charge to any worker or employer at risk of exposure to silica dust, the tool is easy to use and can be downloaded to a phone, laptop or desktop.

Dr. Joel Moody, Chief Prevention Officer/ Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, said on the day of the launch that "The Silica Control Tool will help empower employers and workers - from workplaces and operations of all sizes - to understand the hazards and prevention strategies related to working with silica. I want to recognize and thank OHCOW for their leadership to make this project happen."

OHCOW sent a media release and launched a social media campaign to inform the construction industry of the new tool and provide links to OHCOW's SCT page. This page features more information, instructions and links to register. The response to the social media posts saw a 50%+ increase in reactions, including "likes" and favourable comments.

Through a special budget, the project hired an external media company that helped to draw increased traffic to the web page, and created materials such as banners, infographics, posters, walllet cards and stickers.

A sample of the ads placed on social media, that linked to the SCT landing page on OHCOW's website:

The boosted posts resulted in more than 14,000 visits to the landing page. The registration page has more than 28,000 visits to date.

A research paper from 2022 published by OHCOW researchers has ranked among the top 10% of downloaded papers in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.  Sarcoidosis in Northern Ontario hard-rock miners: A case series was written by L. Christine Oliver MD, MPH, MS, Paul Sampara MEng, ROH, Donna Pearson RN, DOHN, Janice Martell BA, and Andrew M. Zarnke, BS.

In 2023, Andrew Zarnke, OHCOW Project Director, successfully defended his PhD thesis in Human Kinetics from Laurentian University. The report he co-authored describes a series of 12 cases of sarcoidosis in a group of hard-rock miners in Northern Ontario, Canada. The group had occupational exposure to silica and metal dusts consistent with previously reported associations. It is believed that the paper is the first such report about hard-rock miners.

The Journal commented in an email to co-author Andrew Zarnke that, "this achievement is a testament to the recognition and celebration of your work within the community."

Congratulations to the team!

Prepared by:
L. Christine Oliver, MD, MPH, MSc, FACPM
Medical Consultant, OHCOW

Occupational Hygiene Review:
Krista Thompson, MHSc, ROH, CRSP
Occupational Hygienist, OHCOW

Editorial Review:
Janice Martell
Occupational Health Coordinator, OHCOW

EXERPT: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a member of the family of interstitial lung diseases known as idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIP). IPF is the most common of the IIPs.1,2 Histologically it is characterized and defined by patchy distribution of fibrosis that appears to arise from the pleural surface; foci of subepithelial fibroblasts; and microscopic honeycombing.1,3 This pattern is classified as “usual interstitial pneumonia”, or UIP.1,4

GO TO PAPER

Prepared by: Paul Sampara, MEng, ROHOccupational Hygienist, OHCOW 

Last Updated April 18, 2023

Medical Review: Dr. Christine Oliver, MD, MPH, MS, FACPM, Medical Consultant OHCOW Occupational Hygiene Review: Kevin Hedges PhD, CIH, Occupational Hygienist OHCOW Editorial Review: Janice Martell, Occupational Health Coordinator, OHCOW 

Ontario hard rock miners have been exposed to four major carcinogens: respirable crystalline silica (RCS), diesel exhaust (DE), radon or radon decay products (RDP)a and arsenic for many decades. The following is a summary of the findings from published scientific literature on the association between exposure to these carcinogens and the risk of lung cancer among miners and in particular among Ontario uranium or gold miners. A number of relevant studies have been published in the last 10-15 years. 

GO TO PAPER

Prepared by: Paul Sampara, BSc., DOHS, MEng, ROH Occupational Hygiene Consultant OHCOW

Last updated: October 1, 2019

Medical Review by: Dr. L. Christine Oliver, MD, MPH, MS, FACPM Medical Consultant OHCOW
Occupational hygiene review by: Martin Albinger, Occupational Hygiene Consultant OHCOW
Editorial Review by: Janice Martell, Occupational Health Coordinator OHCOW

A summary of the development of the current WSIB Policy 23-02-03 “Lung Cancer Among Workers in the Uranium Mining Industry” and the epidemiological studies on the risk of lung cancer from radon exposure in Ontario uranium mines, and describes how exposure to radon was determined for the studies that provided the basis for the WSIB policy. A discussion of the historical radon exposure data for Ontario uranium miners is provided followed by a summary of the epidemiological studies on the risk of lung cancer associated with radon exposure in Ontario uranium mines.

See Full Paper

OHCOW is pleased with the response to its Occupational Health podcasts, known as OH-Pods, and focus on both ergonomics and Occupational Hygiene. To date 23 OH-Pod sessions have been downloaded a total of 3,941 times.

In the 2023/24 year, OHCOW commemorated 20 different noteable dates such as Parkinsons Awareness Month, Day of Mourning, Workplace Mental Health Day, Rare Diseases Day, World Cancer Day, Black History Month and more. We also posted promotions for webinars and other events such as Spring Into Action. Ads for the OHCOW special project promoting the Silica Control Tool also were featured.

Spring into Action is a virtual forum presented every year, sponsored/Organized by the Ottawa & District Labour Council and the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers.  In the 23/24 year it occured on April 14th.

Introduction
Elder Terry McKay (Welcoming and Land Acknowledgement)
David Chezzi, Sean McKinney, Kimberly O'Connell

Presentations:

Temporary Foreign Workers Eastern Ontario Project
Eduardo Huesca & Leonor Cedillo (OHCOW)

Long COVID- Medical and Worker’s Compensation Implications
Dr. Pravesh Jugnundan (OHCOW),  Margaret Keys (OWA)

BREATHING CLEANER AIR is as important as drinking clean water - what can we do?
Kevin Hedges (OHCOW)

SEE VIDEO