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WorkSafeBC

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Research results

The following research projects have full summaries of completed research online. They give an overview of the issue being addressed and key findings, as well as a description of how the study was done, the results and conclusions, and any information about publications based on the funded research.

Projects are grouped under five primary categories:

Societal change in occupational health and safety

A Review of Social Marketing Campaigns in Occupational Injury, Disease or Disability Prevention (Institute for Work & Health)
This study conducted a systematic review of the evidence on the effectiveness of social marketing campaigns in the area of occupational injury, disease and disability prevention. The quality of the research methods used in the studies was assessed, to identify and select high quality studies for review. The project also explored whether there are enough high quality economic evaluations to enable the cost-effectiveness of social marketing interventions in this area to be assessed.

Measuring the effectiveness of a hand hygiene campaign on health care workers’ knowledge, attitudes and intention to comply with hand hygiene guidelines (University of British Columbia)
This project examined the effectiveness of a hand hygiene campaign aimed at health care workers within the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. Surveys, focus groups and a poster competition were used to explore the individual, organizational and environmental factors that influence intent to comply with hand hygiene guidelines and contribute to a successful hand hygiene campaign. The results are relevant to the planning of future infection control initiatives and other behavioural change interventions.

Occupational injury and illness — causes, diagnosis, prevention

A case-control study to identify agricultural chemicals associated with increased risk of prostate cancer and in vitro screening of their endocrine disruption activities (B.C. Cancer Agency)
A matched case-control study was conducted to identify agricultural chemicals that are associated with prostate cancer. These chemicals were then evaluated for endocrine-disrupting properties, through in vitro screening.

A pilot study to develop guidelines for reducing tree planter injuries (Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada)
This project was a pilot study of MSI risk factors in tree planting, involving the measurement and characterization of ergonomic risk factors such as posture, muscle exertions, vibration and shock. The research was aimed at enabling a larger study on MSI risk factors and prevention in tree planting, and the development of MSI prevention guidelines for the industry.

A retrospective cohort study of mortality and cancer incidence among registered nurses in British Columbia (University of British Columbia)
This study examined the risk of cancer for registered nurses (RNs) in B.C. The study used a retrospective cohort design involving over 58,000 RNs registered in B.C. from 1974 to 2000. Results showed that RNs had a lower risk than the general population for most cancers. However there was a higher risk of specific cancers for some job categories, exposures and with increasing number of years worked, compared to other RNs in the cohort.

Are mathematical models an appropriate surrogate for exposure monitoring when establishing respiratory protective requirements for the clean-up of small indoor chemical spills? (Fraser Health; Vancouver Coastal Health)
This project evaluated mathematical models to see if they could accurately predict the airborne concentrations resulting from chemical spills and help identify the level of respiratory protection needed. Researchers conducted simulated spills with chemicals often used in hospital laboratories, then compared the measured airborne levels with the concentrations predicted by the exposure models. None of the models accurately predicted the actual airborne concentrations that resulted from the spills.

Cancer and occupational exposure to pentachlorophenol and tetrachlorophenol (University of British Columbia)
This study examined the effects of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and tetrachlorophenol (TCP), two fungicides that were used broadly in BC’s lumber industry between 1950 and 1990. Both substances are chlorophenols – a group of chemicals classified as potential carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Data from the BC Sawmill Cohort was linked with cancer registry data and workers’ exposures were estimated to examine the risk of cancer for B.C. sawmill workers exposed to PCP and TCP.

Carcinogen Surveillance Program (University of British Columbia)
This project developed new estimates of how many workers are exposed to cancer causing agents in B.C. workplaces. The estimates were developed by using a modified version of CAREX, the International Information System on Occupational Exposure to Carcinogens, and integrating additional data sources, such as detailed B.C. and Ontario labour force estimates, workplace carcinogen exposure measurements, government reports, B.C. cancer studies and other published research. Findings include estimates of the 10 most common workplace carcinogens in B.C. and the number of workers estimated to be exposed to each.

Development of a method for quantifying biomechanical risk factors associated with manual and mechanically assisted patient handling (University of British Columbia)
This project developed and evaluated methods for examining the biomechanical risk factors associated with manual and mechanically assisted techniques for patient handling tasks. Two biomechanical approaches were developed and evaluated by using them to compare the forces associated with two techniques for repositioning patients in bed: use of a slider sheet (manual method) and use of an overhead lift (mechanically assisted method).

Elevated jackhammer support: Development and evaluation of a jackhammer support device to reduce musculoskeletal injuries among construction workers (British Columbia Institute of Technology)
This study involved the design, fabrication and testing of a jackhammer support device. The support device was field tested by construction workers who use jackhammers on a daily basis.

In vivo measurements of lumbar mechanics from ultrasound imaging (Simon Fraser University)
This project evaluated the use of ultrasound imaging for providing information about the muscle mechanics of the lower back. Ultrasound images of lumbar trunk muscles were assessed for their potential application in quantifying the strength of muscle contraction, intervertebral stiffness and muscle stiffness.

Investigation of occupational exposures to forestry workers from environmental Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii (University of British Columbia)
This study investigated occupational exposure to Cryptococcus gattii ( C. gattii ), an organism that is responsible for an emerging infectious disease in BC. This organism is normally found in tropical and sub-tropical areas, but has been found in recent years in treed areas on some parts of Vancouver Island. Researchers examined the prevalence of the organism in trees, soil and air and assessed the potential for occupational exposure related to performing woodland maintenance tasks.

Lift devices to reduce MSI among home support workers in B.C. – A community intervention (British Columbia Institute of Technology)
In this study, a manually operated ceiling lift was evaluated in the homes of 20 home support clients over a one year period. The research examined psychological factors associated with the use of the device, as well as musculoskeletal (MSI) injury rates and compensation costs. The manual lift was designed in an earlier project by BCIT researchers, and is intended to be a lower cost lift that is suitable for homecare settings.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in hospital emergency room personnel (University of British Columbia)
This project examined Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and posttraumatic stress symptoms in emergency room (ER) workers, including prevalence, contributing workplace characteristics, and ways to improve prevention and treatment. A questionnaire was competed by 107 ER staff from 3 Vancouver hospitals, and interviews were conducted with a smaller sample of participants.

Prevalence, nature and risks of voice problems in teachers (University of British Columbia)
In this study, a questionnaire was developed for assessing the prevalence, nature and risk factors for occupational voice disorders in public school teachers. The questionnaire has been completed, validated and pilot tested.

Shift work, light-at-night, and melatonin: Characterizing a new cancer-related occupational exposure (B.C. Cancer Agency)
New measurement methods are needed to enable research on exposure to light-at-night, a possible risk factor for cancer, in particular for shift workers. This study measured health care workers' melatonin levels and 24-hour light intensity exposure in occupational and residential settings.

Tendinosis and tendon regeneration: Roles of apoptosis and insulin-like growth factor-I (University of British Columbia)
Tendon injuries are a common type of work-related musculoskeletal disorder, but their cause is not fully understood and treatment is often unsuccessful. This study examined the role of a non-inflammatory process (apoptosis) in the injury of tendon tissue, and provides the groundwork for the study of a potential new treatment.

The effect of subject awareness in assessing the probability of slip and fall accidents (University of British Columbia)
The goal of this study was to examine how the probability of human subjects slipping in laboratory tests is affected when they are aware in advance that they are going to slip. The research findings have implications for the validation of tribometers, devices used to measure shoe/floor friction.

Who works where? Building occupational research capacity in the BC Linked Health Database (University of British Columbia)
This project developed an industry of employment variable in the BC Linked Health Database (BCLHD) to enhance the capacity of the database for future research projects on the relationships between work and health.

Treatment of occupational injury and illness

Biomechanical comparison of ankle ligament reconstructive techniques (University of British Columbia)
This study evaluated a new technique for repairing injured ankle ligaments that may provide a stronger repair and allow for earlier rehabilitation. Using laboratory testing, the new technique was compared with the current standard surgery in terms of resulting ankle stability, range of motion and strength of repair.

Early Mobilization of Hand Fractures in B.C. (University of British Columbia)
This study explored the potential for treating hand fractures with a technique called Early Controlled Mobilization (ECM). A systematic review of the literature was conducted to assess whether there is scientific evidence of this technique's effectiveness. Epidemiological research was also conducted on both general and work-related hand fractures in B.C., including the proportion of work-related hand fractures that could potentially be treated with ECM.

EMG-based assessment and classification of low back pain (Simon Fraser University)
This study designed and validated a method for classifying Low Back Pain based on the reactive responses of trunk muscles, which are required to stabilize the spinal column.

Intervention research

A test re-test reliability study of the hands-free technique and safety climate questionnaire in B.C. operating room nurses (University of Western Ontario; University of British Columbia)
This project evaluated a new questionnaire about operating room nurses' and technicians' use of the Hands Free Technique (HFT), a safe work practice that helps prevent injuries and contamination of operating room personnel during surgeries. The questionnaire examined aspects of HFT use and workplace safety climate.

Examining the cost-benefit of additional staffing in long term care (LTC) facilities (University of British Columbia)
This project examines the staffing/injury rate relationship in 174 Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities through an exploratory analysis of WorkSafeBC injury databases linked with Labour Relations Board (LRB) staffing databases. The staffing/injury rate relationship was examined across care levels and occupational groups.

Tracking BBF exposures: The implementation of the Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet™ at VIHA) (Vancouver Island Health Authority; Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in B.C.)
This project implemented a surveillance system to track blood and body fluid (BBF) exposures within the Vancouver Island Health Authority. The Exposure Prevention Intervention Network (EPINet™) system, which is the gold standard for BBF surveillance, was adapted for use in the B.C. health care context and incorporated into the existing Workplace Health Indicator Tracking and Evaluation (WHITE™) database developed by the Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare (OHSAH). Injury rates were calculated and data were compared with other health authorities who have also implemented the EPINet™ system.

Compensation, disability management and return-to-work

Investigating the longer-term health consequences of work-related injuries among youth (University of British Columbia)
This project examined the impact of work-related injuries among B.C. youth, using workers’ compensation and health care use data. The research found that work injuries for youth were associated with significant long term health consequences, and that this was especially true for musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs).

Long-term impact of western red cedar asthma on work, health and quality of life (University of British Columbia)
This project examined the current respiratory health and quality of life of BC workers diagnosed with Western red cedar asthma (WRCA) since 1972. Information about work history, current employment, exposure status, respiratory symptoms and overall quality of life were gathered through telephone interviews. Findings indicate that WRCA can impact quality of life as well as respiratory health. The most favourable outcomes were experienced by individuals who continued working after diagnosis, particularly when this work did not involve further WRC exposure.

Measuring health outcomes: An empirical comparison of adaptive and standard questionnaires (Arthritis Research Centre of Canada) (Arthritis Research Centre of Canada)
This project developed and evaluated a computerized adaptive questionnaire for measuring health outcomes for patients with back pain. The questionnaire was completed by patients with mechanical back pain, and the questionnaire’s validity, feasibility and efficiency were assessed.

Workplace injury management: Using new technology to deliver and evaluate physician continuing medical education (University of British Columbia)
In this study, physician Continuing Medical Education modules on two subjects (lateral epicondylitis and physician's role in Return to Work) were developed and evaluated. The modules were delivered in four different formats: video conferencing, web-based training, small group outreach visits and conference lectures).

Transferring research knowledge to the workplace

Development and evaluation of an affordable lift device to reduce musculoskeletal injuries among home support workers (British Columbia Institute of Technology)
In this study, a lift device for use by home support workers was designed and evaluated. Study results suggest the device is safe and effective, and could retail at about half the price of commercially available lifts.

Development of a working prototype sling for use with floor and ceiling lifts to be used by the veterinary sector (British Columbia Institute of Technology)
Veterinary workers are at risk of back injury from lifting and moving large dogs and other animals. The purpose of this project was to develop and evaluate a working prototype sling for the veterinary sector, designed to be compatible with mechanical lift devices, and to be used for lifting, transferring and repositioning four-legged animals in the 25kg to 50kg range.

Ergonomics Health Promotion for B.C. Dental Offices (University of British Columbia)
In this project, researchers developed and evaluated an online ergonomics education and self-evaluation program for dental health professionals. The project aimed to transfer knowledge gained from an earlier WorkSafeBC funded study, which identified changes that can be made to ways of working and using equipment in order to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal pain for dental health professionals.

Shift-work practice in B.C. (Simon Fraser University)
This study surveyed types of shiftwork and shiftwork education program in B.C. workplaces across various sectors. The organizations surveyed used a wide variety of shift systems and the majority did not provide shiftwork education. A complementary study of shiftworkers at the Vancouver International Airport during mid-winter and mid-summer was also conducted to assess the effect of seasonal variation on shift-work adaptation.

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