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2007 Competitions - Focus on Tomorrow
Fifteen grants were awarded as part of WorkSafeBC's Focus on Tomorrow research program — an annual competition designed to fund independent, scientific studies on issues that are relevant to workers, employers, and WorkSafeBC. Also funded are smaller, “shop-floor” projects aimed at transferring new knowledge into action or addressing specific occupational hazards.
The research projects are diverse in their approach whether they are designed for practical use in the workplace, exploratory and intended for development of future research, or are full research projects designed to achieve scientific outcomes to improve workplace health and safety. Topics include research on practical equipment or aids such as the N95 respirator, a remotely-activated jack for tree falling, an instrument to measure aspects of back injury, a home care ceiling lift, and prevention guidelines for specific workplace issues. Workplace factors that might contribute to the long-term development of disease, such as Parkinson's disease or airway hypersensitivity are explored. Social support and social climate in the workplace are also topics addressed in various studies.
Eight of this year's projects will be jointly funded by WorkSafeBC, the Workers' Compensation Board of Manitoba ; and the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia . This partnership is intended to provide a greater pool of funds for potential research projects and encourage studies that will have broader impact on workplaces across Canada .
We would like to thank all who participated in our 2007 competition - including the numerous scientific experts who reviewed the proposals, WorkSafeBC reviewers, the members of our 2007 Advisory Committee, and all who submitted grant proposals.
Ed McCloskey
Director, Research Secretariat
Policy and Research Division
Innovation at Work 2nd Call for Proposals - Grants approved January 2008
In total, 26 proposals were submitted by the closing date. Six proposals were approved for funding. Note: Further details about the funded projects will be posted soon.
| Principal applicant | Title of project | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Helen Mersereau | Breaking New Ground: Does Radon Present a Health Risk to Nova Scotia Workers? | Cape Breton University |
| Emile Tompa | Economic Evaluation Workbook for Workplace Parties in the Healthcare Sector | Institute for Work & Health |
| Séamus Parker | In-service Evaluation of Onboard Brake Monitoring Device for Logging Trucks | FPInnovations-FERIC Division |
| Barbara Howe | Summative Evaluation of the Fish Safe Stability Education Program: A Multifaceted Approach | Quinte Marine Services Ltd. |
| Richard Shervey | Wireless Personal Protection System | Pro-active Safety Systems Technologies Inc. |
| Lynn Alden | Workplace Factors that Predict Return to Work in Workers with PTSD | University of B.C. |