Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders Overview

Vision and Mission Vision: Bringing together researchers and workplace parties to identify the key questions, find the best research answers, and pass on the best knowledge that will lead to the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders at work Mission: To develop, through basic and applied research, the foundations for effective prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and disability

The identification of mechanisms of development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders The development, implementation and evaluation of workplace strategies to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders and disability The Goals of the Centre are:

Centre Strategic Directions 1.0 Increase research capacity in OH&S in Ontario through recruitment of researchers 2.0 Develop a coordinated, coherent, province- wide programs of world-class OH&S research 3.0 Build relationships with workplace partners 4.0 Improve research-based knowledge transfer and utilization 5.0 Put in place Centre infrastructure, staff, organization and strategic planning process

Core Centre Researchers Syed Naqvi Stuart McGill Mardy Frazer Richard Wells Howard Green Nancy Theberge Don Ranney Peter Keir Donald Cole Jack Callaghan Anne Moore Dee Kramer Ted HainesMickey Kerr Emile Tompa Jim Potvin INSTITUTE FOR WORK & HEALTH INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE SUR LE TRAVAIL ET LA SANTÉ Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc.

Advisory Committee Marianne Levitsky, WSIB Linda Kelly, WSIB Elizabeth Mills, Ontario Service Safety Alliance TedVandevis, Electrical & Utilities Safety Association (EUSA) Keith McMillan, CEP CamSherk, UFCW Michelle Morrissey-O'Ryan, Hydro One Networks Inc. Sherri Helmka, Employers' Advocacy Council John Vander Doelen, Ministry of Labour Catherine Fenech, Injured Workers Jonathan Tyson, Association of Canadian Ergonomists (PPHSA)

Centre Research Program. More Basic More Applied Knowledge Generation and Synthesis Evaluation: What Works and Why (not) Outreach and Application: Getting the Knowledge Human Characteristics and Capabilities Related to the Development of WMSD Outcome, Exposure, Hazard and Risk Assessment for the Development of WMSD Development of Appropriate Interventions to Prevent WMSD Processes to Make Workplace Changes to Prevent WMSD Evaluation of WMSD Prevention Programs

Research Program Human Characteristics and Capabilities Related to the Development of MSD Outcome, Diagnosis, Exposure, Hazard and Risk Assessment for the Development of WMSD Development of Appropriate Interventions to Prevent WMSD Processes to Make Workplace Changes to Prevent WMSD Evaluation of WMSD Prevention Programs Richard Wells, Mardy Fraser Donald Cole Syed Naqvi et al WSIB RAC Workplaces Evaluation and Sustainability of Interventions Richard Wells Syed Naqvi CRE- PREMUS UNITE! OHCOW UNITE Maintenance Ted Haynes Richard Wells et al WSIB RAC Clinicians Work Relatedness of Dupuytren’s Contractures Mardy Frazer WSIB RAC Workplaces Shoulder Strength in Older Workers Cam Mustard, Mickey Kerr, Mardy Frazer, Geoff Fernie Ministry of Health MoH, HCHSA Ceiling Lift Evaluation Donald Cole Dee Kramer Emile Tompa CRE- PREMUS (Seed) for CIHR OSSA Transformational Leadership Syed Naqvi CRE- PREMUS (Seed) OHCOW Evaluation Tools For JHSC Nancy Theberge Donald Cole Anne-Sylvia Brooker CRE- PREMUS (Seed) Workplaces Gender and Participation IAPA Donald Cole Richard Wells CRE- PREMUS (Seed) Participative Ergonomics Howie Green, Don Ranney, Russ Tupling CRE- PREMUS + WSIB-RAC Clinicians Cell Changes with Muscle Pain Donald Cole Syed Naqvi Donald Cole Syed Naqvi CRE- PREMUS (Seed) OHCOW/CAW Participative Ergonomics Richard Wells et al Proposed WSIB RAC Workplaces Job Rotation

CRE-MSD Seed Grant Program Research Assistantships and Grants of maximum $ Factors important in awarding funding included: Satisfying internal peer review process Proposal within CRE-MSD mandate A clear research question and methodology Evidence of interaction with workplace parties in the development and execution of the study A willingness to share the results with workplace parties during and upon project completion In-kind contributions of partners

Example Seed Grant DWAYNE VAN EERD, Donald Cole, Richard Wells, Sue Ferrier, Emile Tompa, Nancy Theberge. Evaluating a partner-based participatory intervention for musculoskeletal disorders in a medium-sized workplace. Major community partner: Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA). The proposed pilot project will test a process of recruitment, data collection, sharing of information and evaluation in conjunction with consultants from the Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA) in one medium-sized workplace. The study outcomes are better understanding of ergonomic consulting and approaches to evaluation with medium sized businesses.

Workshop on Job Rotation

Job Rotation Workshop A workshop on job rotation was held on December 7, 2004 at the University of Waterloo and was attended by a wide range of workplace parties including managers, supervisors, JHSC representatives, consultants from the health and safety associations, ergonomists, kinesiologists, and researchers in the field of OH&S. Further material from this workshop can be found at

Rotation Key Messages What is job rotation?: –Similar to job enlargement –Should be secondary to engineering solutions –Has psychosocial and physical benefits –Has psychosocial and physical negative features

Rotation Key Messages Success factors for job rotation: –Doesn’t work if you mix high risk jobs with low risk jobs –Doesn’t work well if your team has very different physical capabilities –Doesn’t work well for reintroduction of injured workers –Doesn’t work well if jobs are too similar –Needs a good overall safety climate

Summary The Centre collaborates with workplace parties and practitioners to: Determine relevant research questions Include them in the research process Disseminate and use research findings

Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders receives substantial funding through a grant provided by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario The Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders receives substantial funding through a grant provided by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario