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Finding Solutions 1997
A WCB grant program for research and training to improve the workplaceFinding Solutions, the Workers' Compensation Board's grant program, provides financial assistance to support projects that encourage early identification and prevention of workplace risks, research methods for reducing risks, evaluate post-injury rehabilitation strategies, or promote effective education on health and safety risks.
The 1997 WCB Grants and Awards Advisory Committee – which included employer representatives Eric Skowronek (B.C. Maritime Employers' Association) and Maurice Fernandes (Canada Post Corporation); and worker representatives John Weir (B.C. Federation of Labour), Cliff Madsen (Canadian Auto Workers), to May 16, 1997, and Nancy Singh (Hospital Employees' Union), as of April 15, 1997 – recommended funding for 14 new projects, and the commission of a study and a training program.
- 1997 Grants
- Research and training currently being developed
- Updates on previously funded projects
- Research reports now available
- Ongoing research and support
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1997 Grants |
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"Provide the training, assess the results, eliminate the fatalities and the serious injuries that this industry has been experiencing for the past five years – that is the goal we intend to reach." – P. J. (Paddy) Hatch, Electrical Contractors Association of B.C. |
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| Agency: | Electrical Contractors Association of B.C. |
| Representative: | P. J. (Paddy) Hatch |
| Recommended funding: | $46,958 |
Contractors working on high-voltage equipment in remote areas of B.C. have limited access to new safety training. The Electrical Contractors Association of B.C. will deliver a two-day training course to 160 contract employees across the province. By providing safety training and new materials to workers operating in remote communities, this project will promote higher skill levels among workers in an industry with zero tolerance for error.
Measuring and reducing vibration risks in sawmills
| Agency: | Canadian Forest Products Ltd. |
| Representative: | Kim Zinck |
| Recommended funding: | $15,800 |
Workers in sawmills are exposed to vibration on a daily basis, either at their workstations or with the tools they use. This project will identify and evaluate the effects of vibration exposures on sawmill workers performing high-risk tasks, such as welding, sawfiling, bucking, and millwrighting. In addition, the researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of different vibration-reduction strategies, including vibration wrap, gloves, matting, and insoles.
"The personal suffering and costs of MSIs in health care are significant. Research is needed to understand and reduce the risks of these serious injuries."
– Dr. Susan Kennedy, UBC
Investigating links between work stress and musculoskeletal injuries in health care
| Agency: | University of British Columbia |
| Representatives: | Dr. Susan Kennedy, Dr. Paul Demers, and Dr. Clyde Hertzman |
| Recommended funding: | $22,369 |
Health care workers face an especially high risk of developing musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs). UBC researchers will study the relationship between work organization/stress factors and MSIs among health care workers. Researchers will investigate the relative importance of various risk factors and provide recommendations for interventions to reduce injuries. These findings will form the basis of a comprehensive report for health care organizations and stakeholders.
Training health care workers in long-term care facilities
| Agency: | Tillicum and Veterans Care Society |
| Representative: | Gloria Parker |
| Recommended funding: | $21,483 |
Clients with dementia present unique challenges to health care workers in long-term care facilities. Tillicum and Veterans Care Society will develop and evaluate the delivery of safe care in a training program for health care workers dealing with long-term care residents with dementia. Training for nurses and care aides will cover lifting, transferring, and communicating effectively with residents with dementia to reduce injury risks associated with patient transfers.
Minimizing ergonomic risks within the hospitality industry
| Agency: | B.C. Research Inc. |
| Representative: | Dan Robinson |
| Recommended funding: | $47,383 |
In 1996, the hospitality industry accounted for 6.3 percent of all time-loss claims. This study will assess the early identification and prevention of overexertion and repetitive strain injuries associated with high-risk jobs in the hospitality industry, and will recommend ways to reduce risks.
Evaluating the preventive effect of surgical ergonomics
| Agency: | Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia |
| Representative: | Lance Rucker |
| Recommended funding: | $53,979 |
Dentists and dental hygienists are at risk for developing strain injuries while performing surgical tasks. This project will determine whether an understanding of clinical surgical ergonomics, attainable through existing clinical training programs or other factors, such as the use of surgical magnification and equipment layout, lead to lower rates of musculoskeletal injuries in dental clinicians.
"Effective safety training is needed to help prevent the devastating accidents in the forest industry."
– Brian Brown, Central Interior Logging Association
Producing safety training videos for forestry workers
| Agency: | Central Interior Logging Association |
| Representative: | Brian Brown |
| Recommended funding: | $50,000 |
Logging is one of the most dangerous industries in B.C., with more than 20 people killed in workplace accidents each year. The Central Interior Logging Association will develop videos on safe work procedures for loggers and logging truck drivers for use in safety training.
Reducing patient-handling injuries for health care workers
| Agency: | Trillium Lodge |
| Representative: | James Banks |
| Recommended funding: | $7,170 |
Health care workers risk injuring themselves in routine situations, such as repositioning patients in bed. Trillium Lodge will research the role that equipment, such as mechanical lifting devices, may play in preventing and reducing patient-handling injuries among health care workers. The study will include a cost-benefit analysis of equipment and will determine how other factors, including staff acceptance and the reduction of physical work, may affect the rate of injury in smaller facilities.
Helping emergency service workers cope with critical-incident stress
| Agency: | Pediatric Transport Program, University of British Columbia |
| Representative: | Andrew Macnab |
| Recommended funding: | $55,000 |
Ambulance attendants, paramedics, and other emergency service workers regularly encounter incidents that can produce disabling stress symptoms. This study will determine which interventions are most effective in helping emergency service workers deal with critical-incident stress.
Analysing occupational risks in the school system
| Agency: | Greater Victoria School District #61 |
| Representatives: | Brian Mallory and Sue Ferguson |
| Recommended funding: | $32,000 |
Each year, workers in B.C. schools account for more than 2,700 serious accidents and over 70,000 days lost from work, incurring over $11.3 million in claims costs. The Greater Victoria School District will conduct an assessment of occupational risks including workplace design, materials handling, and ergonomics to help prevent musculoskeletal injuries in a school environment. This project will establish a baseline of job demand information and risk factors for several occupational groups and will provide an evaluation tool for rehabilitation and back-to-work programs.
"Our team expects this program will greatly assist the aviation industry in identifying, reducing, and providing preventative strategies in the comprehensive management of MSIs among flight attendants."
– Lisa VanDerDoe, AirBC Ltd.
Preventing musculoskeletal injuries in flight attendants
| Agency: | AirBC Ltd. |
| Representatives: | Lisa VanDerDoe and Anne Logie |
| Recommended funding: | $32,170 |
Flight attendants have been identified as a high-risk group for musculoskeletal injuries in the aviation industry. AirBC will develop guidelines for early identification and appropriate clinical assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries among flight attendants.
Sharing forestry research on workplace exposures at an international conference
| Agency: | University of British Columbia |
| Representative: | Dr. Clyde Hertzman |
| Recommended funding: | $5,000 |
UBC researchers will share their findings on the effects of chlorophenate, dioxin, noise, and wood dust exposures on forestry workers with other researchers, policy makers, and stakeholders at a 1998 international research conference on health issues in the forest industry.
Reducing accidents and injuries in planer mills
| Agency: | Northern Interior Forest Training Initiative (NIFTI) |
| Representative: | Fraser Deacon |
| Recommended funding: | $4,546 |
In an effort to reduce workplace accidents and injuries in planer mills – where the numbers of amputation, crush, and struck-by injuries are high – the Northern Interior Forestry Training Initiative will deliver and evaluate a training course to planer maintenance and production workers in northern B.C.
"By developing assault prevention and conflict resolution strategies, we will reduce the risks taxicab drivers face on a regular basis."
– Shelley Rivkin, Justice Institute of B.C.
Violence prevention video for taxicab drivers
| Agency: | Justice Institute of B.C. |
| Representative: | Shelley Rivkin |
| Recommended funding: | $19,800 |
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Research and training currently being developed |
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Updates on previously funded projects |
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| Agency: | The United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union |
| Representatives: | Danielle Sciarretta and Bruce Logan |
| Funding: | $29,373 |
Salmon seining is one of the most hazardous activities in commercial fishing in B.C., with the beachline operation being the most dangerous jobs aboard a seiner. Each year, one or more crewmembers are seriously injured, maimed, or killed. In 1997, instruction in safe beachwork was made available to novice fishers on Vancouver Island for the first time. The Campbell River course trained 18 inexperienced crewmembers in safety procedures on land and at sea, to ensure proper techniques were learned by young fishers. A final report is due before the end of 1997.
"Strains were responsible for 71 percent of the claims in the health care industry from 1991 to 1995 -- almost half of those injuries were due to patient handling."
-- WCB focus report on the health care industry
Developing procedures for safe patient handling
| Agency: | Cowichan Valley Health Care Society |
| Representative: | Eleanor D. Gilding |
| Funding: | $8,000 |
Cowichan Valley Health Care Society has been working with its staff to provide patient transfer education on determining the best lift or transfer method in any situation. Although the data analysis is not yet complete, results in terms of injury reduction are promising. A final report is due before the end of 1997.
Preventing musculoskeletal injuries among health care workers
| Agency: | Work Health Foundation |
| Representative: | Dr. Ian Pike |
| Funding: | $26,179 |
Musculoskeletal injuries are common among direct patient-care providers. The Work Health Foundation will assess the effectiveness of a social marketing campaign in reducing MSIs among direct patient-care providers. An integrated communication plan on preventing MSIs will be implemented at four test-site hospitals. The final results of the study will give indications of the efficacy of social marketing as a prevention strategy and the most effective messages, materials, and strategies for patient-care providers. A final report is due late in 1998.
Developing safe work standards for utility arborists
| Agency: | AM-PM Tree Services |
| Representatives: | Daryl Lawrie and Shanna Mason |
| Funding: | $27,214 |
Utility arborists continue to sustain injuries due to unsafe work practices and situations. In an effort to reduce these injuries, AM-PM Tree Services has drafted a safe work practices manual that will form the foundation for a work standards and training document for utility arborists. The manual is now being scrutinized by industry advisers, and a final report will be available early in 1998.
Assessing the health effects of residual pesticides
| Agency: | University of B.C. and Simon Fraser University |
| Representatives: | Dr. Susan Kennedy and Dr. P.J.E. Quintana (UBC), and Dr. Francis Law (SFU) |
| Funding: | $53,067 (UBC), $46,597 (SFU) |
The investigators are assessing the effect that pesticide exposures have on the health of farmworkers. Study results will determine if any chromosome damage appears in workers' lymphocytes and whether such damage can be linked to pesticide exposures. A final report is expected from the University of British Columbia by the end of 1997.
Other projects in progress
- Evaluating physician practices in the treatment of acute back pain
- Evaluating methods for measuring psychosocial job strain
- Developing database links between health and safety organizations
- Evaluating injury prevention programs for repositioning patients in bed
- Redesigning toll booths to reduce neck and shoulder pain in workers
- Improving quality of life and employability for severely disabled workers
- Seeking solutions to workplace violence
Research reports now available
Reducing fatalities and injuries in B.C.
forest product mills
Agency:
Simon Fraser University
Representative:
Dr. Stephen Havlovic
Funding:
$15,210
This study investigated the capability of joint health and safety
committees (JHSCs), health and safety training, and specific management
initiatives to reduce accidents and injuries in forest product mills
in B.C. The study also identified corporate and mill characteristics
associated with a safer work environment and lower injury rates.
Research findings from the study include, among others:
- Mills with better JHSC relations are more likely to have lower
minor accident rates
- The type of health and safety training for employee JHSC representatives
was not associated with accident rates. However, mills with lower
serious accident rates tend to offer more training to management
JHSC representatives
- Mills with higher job satisfaction, an emphasis on work teams,
good communications, an emphasis on product/service quality, and
a readiness to adopt new practices or technologies have significantly
lower minor accident rates
- The complete report is available for viewing in the WCB
Library (604 231-8450).
| Agency: | Simon Fraser University |
| Representative: | Dr. Stephen Havlovic |
| Funding: | $15,210 |
This study investigated the capability of joint health and safety committees (JHSCs), health and safety training, and specific management initiatives to reduce accidents and injuries in forest product mills in B.C. The study also identified corporate and mill characteristics associated with a safer work environment and lower injury rates. Research findings from the study include, among others:
- Mills with better JHSC relations are more likely to have lower minor accident rates
- The type of health and safety training for employee JHSC representatives was not associated with accident rates. However, mills with lower serious accident rates tend to offer more training to management JHSC representatives
- Mills with higher job satisfaction, an emphasis on work teams, good communications, an emphasis on product/service quality, and a readiness to adopt new practices or technologies have significantly lower minor accident rates
- The complete report is available for viewing in the WCB Library (604 231-8450).
Studying respiratory health among sawmill workers
| Agency: | University of British Columbia |
| Representatives: | Dr. Paul Demers, Dr. Susan Kennedy, and Dr. Kay Teschke |
| Funding: | $30,000 |
This pilot study successfully established feasible and reliable methods for sampling and analyzing inhalable dusts, resin acids, monoterpenes, and bioaerosols. High airborne mould and bacteria concentrations were observed. There was great variability within and between mills depending on log storage techniques. Where the monoterpenes were above limits of detection, they were much lower than the proposed B.C. regulatory standard and very low compared with levels observed in Nordic countries.
The pilot study is available for viewing in the WCB Library (604 231-8450).
Ongoing research and support
"This continuing support will allow us to work more closely with the WCB to improve the health of workers in B.C. through early detection of occupational risks and prevention."
-- Dr. Nhu Le, Occupational Oncology Research Program, BCCA
Educating tomorrow's health and safety experts
The WCB has supported BCIT student scholarships in occupational health and safety since 1988. In 1997, occupational health and safety students Mary Campbell and Anna Richter were awarded entrance scholarships.
Researching work-related cancers
The WCB has supported the BC Cancer Agency's research on work-related cancer since 1982, funding projects such as an analysis of cancer risk by industry; a study on detecting occupational cancer risks; and the geographic distribution of cancer rates. In 1997, the WCB renewed its partnership with a $1.2 million grant.
This five-year grant will be used to create a database of occupational cancer rates in specific industries and jobs; identify cancer-causing agents and risk factors in certain workplaces, jobs, and regions; and conduct field studies. Other areas of research include cancer studies in health care, heavy manufacturing, and pulp and paper. Dr. Nhu Le, principal investigator for the Occupational Oncology Research Program, leads these projects.