BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//OHCOW - ECPv6.17.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:OHCOW
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.ohcow.on.ca
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for OHCOW
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Toronto
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260201T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260228T170000
DTSTAMP:20260302T160420Z
CREATED:20260118T162216Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260302T160420Z
UID:10000341-1769932800-1772298000@www.ohcow.on.ca
SUMMARY:Heart Month 2026
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \nFebruary is Heart Month\nFebruary is Heart Month\, an annual opportunity for individuals\, groups\, and businesses to raise funds and awareness for the prevention and treatment of heart disease. \nFebruary is also Preventative Health Awareness Month\n\nAs well as Heart Month\, February is also officially recognized as “Preventative Health Awareness Month“. This grass roots initiative has grown into a national movement\, and although its topic is broad\, it includes the promotion of preventative measures to avoid heart disease such as not smoking\, committing to a healthy  diet\, and prioritizing regular movement and exercise. \nLinks: \nUniversity Hospital Foundation Heart Month Page \nHeart and Stroke Foundation Canada \n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \nOHCOW Webinars on Work-Related Heart Disease\nWorker Particulate Exposure and Heart Disease: McIntyre Powder\nReviewing Clinical Experience & Current Research on Critical CVD Particulate Hazards\, and Related Opportunities for Prevention \n2024. In Canada\, heart disease is the second leading cause of death\, with 1 in 12 Canadians over the age of 20 living with a diagnosis. Smoking\, unhealthy diet\, and lack of physical activity are well-known risk factors. However\, occupational and environmental exposures are also becoming increasingly recognized as important. Join Dr. Andrew Zarnke PhD\, and Dr. Sandra Dorman PhD\, as they explain the health effects of the inhalation of fine particles in the workplace\, and the associated contribution to heart disease using McIntyre Powder as a case example. \nHost: Dave Wilken\, OHCOW\, Chief Operating Officer \nSpeakers: Dr. Andrew Zarnke PhD\, OHCOW\, Project Director; Dr. Sandra Dorman PhD\, Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH)\, Director[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMp-zQnh6ls” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row top_padding=”40″][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \nWork-Related Heart Disease Webinar\nA 2021 presentation made in partnership with  the Center for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) as part of the OCC-Disease Prevention webinar series and in the spirit of Heart Month.With presentations by Dr. Sandra Dorman\, Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) and Andrew Zarnke\, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) \nDr. Sandra Dorman\, Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH).  VIEW SLIDES [PDF][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row top_padding=”40″][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6mfgq4C2no” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/event/heart-month-2026/
CATEGORIES:External Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/featurediconheart-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260201T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260228T170000
DTSTAMP:20260126T193518Z
CREATED:20260126T193145Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260126T193518Z
UID:10000343-1769932800-1772298000@www.ohcow.on.ca
SUMMARY:Black History Month
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image image=”54684″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \nGovernment of Canada News Release\n\n\n\n\nThe 30th Anniversary of Black History Month\nEach year\, Black History Month honours the experiences\, achievements and enduring contributions of Black communities in Canada\, while deepening our collective understanding of their history and impact on Canadian society. \nToday\, the Honourable Marc Miller\, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages\, unveiled this year’s theme: “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.” This theme celebrates three decades of Black History Month in Canada and recognizes the enduring legacy of Black Canadians\, whose leadership\, creativity\, innovation and resilience have shaped our past\, continue to influence our present\, and will inspire future generations. \nMinister Miller announced the theme at the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia\, a hub that showcases and preserves\, promotes and celebrates the history\, culture and contributions of African Nova Scotians. During his visit\, he also announced funding of more than $280\,000 for nine projects in the Atlantic Region that will highlight Black History Month. \nThroughout February\, Canadians are invited to learn more about and celebrate the diversity and accomplishments of Black Canadians across the country. Black History Month is also a time to reflect on Canada’s painful history and the systemic barriers that Black communities continue to face\, including anti-Black racism and discrimination\, and to reaffirm our shared responsibility to address them. \nAs we prepare to celebrate 30 years of Black History Month in Canada\, communities across the country are invited to join in honouring Black excellence in Canada and celebrating the remarkable contributions that Black Canadians make to Canadian society every day. \n\n\n\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/event/black-history-month-2/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260204
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260205
DTSTAMP:20260423T143508Z
CREATED:20260103T184517Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260423T143508Z
UID:10000279-1770163200-1770249599@www.ohcow.on.ca
SUMMARY:World Cancer Day 2026
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row top_padding=”20″][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”54577″ img_size=”medium” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”5/6″][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJu2vsjhhb0″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row top_padding=”10″][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]See the commentary from the international World Cancer Day organization website. \n  \nWebinar: 11:30am to 1pm EST\nOHCOW & OCRC on World Cancer Day shared research on occupational co-exposures of cancer and clinical case studies. \nThe Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) and the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) this World Cancer Day explores occupational co-exposures and cancer risk through both research and clinical perspectives. OCRC presented findings from their co-exposures project on lung and bladder cancer\, while OHCOW will follow with clinical work and case studies that illustrate the real-world impacts of multiple workplace exposures\, linking research findings to practice. \n11:30 AM – 12:15 PM\nThe Changing Landscape of Exposure and Cancer \nDr. Jeavana Sritharan – OCRC Scientist\, Surveillance\, Dr. Tracy Kirkham – OCRC Associate Director & Scientist\, Shannon Halls – OCRC Research Associate\, Fatima Ali – OCRC Research Associate \n12:15 PM – 12:45 PM\nA Clinical Perspective: Case Studies with Multiple Exposures \nLawrence Kurtz – OHCOW Occupational Hygienist \n12:45 PM – 1:00 PM\nQ&A[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/event/world-cancer-day-2026/
CATEGORIES:External Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/featuredicon_wcd26.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260206T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260206T120000
DTSTAMP:20260811T150221Z
CREATED:20260110T145652Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T150221Z
UID:10000273-1770372000-1770379200@www.ohcow.on.ca
SUMMARY:RSI Day 2026 Available to View
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \nRepetitive Strain Injury Day Webinar Series\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]OHCOW is pleased to announce that the 2026 Webinar Series had 2\,015 registrants\, surpassing the registration for the 2025 sessions! It is now believed to be the world’s largest international ergonomics-focused webinar series. \nView the full playlist on our Youtube channel. [/vc_column_text]Go to Landing Page[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row desktop_visibility=”hide” tablet_landscape_visibility=”hide” tablet_portrait_visibility=”hide” mobile_landscape_visibility=”hide” mobile_portrait_visibility=”hide”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]WEEK ONE \n\n\n\n10:00 AM – 10:15 AM \nWelcome Message and Overview\n\nSpeaker: Trevor Schell – Coordinator/OHCOW Ergonomist\n\n\n\n  \n10:15 AM – 11:00 AM \nSymptoms in the Opposite or Uninjured Leg and Limping-Related Back Pain: Secondary Effects on Lower-Extremity Joints and the Spine\n\nSpeaker: Trevor Schell – OHCOW Ergonomist\, Sudbury; Cathrine Hjelle Feier – UW Post Doctoral Fellow\n\nThis session examines how altered gait and compensatory movement patterns following lower-limb injury redistribute joint loading across the uninjured leg\, pelvis\, and spine. The presentation explores the development of functional and structural leg length discrepancies\, their impact on pelvic alignment\, and the resulting strain placed on the hip\, knee\, ankle\, sacroiliac joints\, and lumbar spine through disruption of the biokinetic chain. Emphasis is placed on understanding these interconnected biomechanical effects and on preventative measures such as early gait correction\, targeted rehabilitation\, and supportive interventions to reduce secondary injury risk and long-term musculoskeletal dysfunction. \nDOWNLOAD SLIDES \n\n  \n11:00 AM – 11:45 AM \nApplying Ergonomics at Home\n\nSpeaker: Daryl Stephenson – OHCOW Ergonomist\, Hamilton \n\nWhen people think of the term ergonomics\, they often think of the workplace. However\, ergonomics also plays a vital role in preventing injuries outside of work\, influencing how we move\, posture\, and perform everyday activities. This session explores various way that ergonomic principles can be applied to daily living. \nDOWNLOAD SLIDES \n\n\n  \n11:45 AM – 12:15 PM \nQ&A \n\n\n\n\n\n[/vc_column_text]REGISTER[/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/event/rsi-day-2026-week-1-2-5/
CATEGORIES:RSI Day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/featurediconRSI2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260213T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260213T120000
DTSTAMP:20260621T191900Z
CREATED:20260108T152453Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260621T191900Z
UID:10000283-1770976800-1770984000@www.ohcow.on.ca
SUMMARY:RSI Day 2026 Week 2
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \nRepetitive Strain Injury Day Webinar Series\nOHCOW is pleased to announce the return of our free annual international event focussed on musculoskeletal disorders and their prevention. Now in its 27th year\, OHCOW’s RSI Day program continues to translate the knowledge and experience of our professional staff and guest speakers to increase awareness and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. Due its ever-expanding audience\, this year’s event will again be held virtually\, as a 4-week webinar series over the month of February. \nWEEK TWO[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \n\n\n\n10:00 AM – 10:15 AM \nWelcome Message and Overview \n\nSpeaker: Trevor Schell – Coordinator/OHCOW Ergonomist\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n10:15 AM – 11:00 AM\n\nUnderstanding Fatigue in Occupational Hand Tasks\n\nSpeaker: Michael Holmes – Program Director\, Brock University\n\nRepetitive strain injuries of the distal upper extremity are typically attributed to mechanical strain from cumulative loading. RSIs are multifactorial\, but neuromuscular fatigue is often a common mechanism linking occupational exposure to performance loss and injury risk. This presentation will review biomechanical and physiological evidence showing how peripheral and central fatigue accumulate during repetitive work\, ultimately compromising grip force and hand control. We will discuss our recent work that strives to leverage fatigue as a biomarker for early intervention and prevention. \nDOWNLOAD SLIDES \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n11:00 AM – 11:45 AM \nErgonomics and Pregnancy\n\nSpeakers: Andrew Flanagan – OHCOW Ergonomist\, Melissa Statham – OHCOW Ergonomist; Jessica Montgomery – OHCOW\n\nPregnancy brings significant physical changes that can affect posture\, balance\, and musculoskeletal comfort. Applying ergonomic principles during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of MSDs\, and promote overall well-being. This session helps workers understand the risk factors associated with pregnancy and MSDs. Emphasis is placed on preventative measures\, body mechanics\, and supportive tools that help expectant mothers maintain comfort\, mobility\, and long-term musculoskeletal health throughout pregnancy. This session will also touch on workplace party responsibilities associated with pregnancy at work. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDOWNLOAD SLIDES \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n11:45 AM – 12:15 PM\n\n\n\nQ & A\n\n\n\n\n[/vc_column_text]REGISTER[/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]More information and links to register will be provided.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/event/rsi-day-2026-week-1-2-2/
CATEGORIES:RSI Day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/featurediconRSI2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260220T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260220T120000
DTSTAMP:20260621T191926Z
CREATED:20260108T152736Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260621T191926Z
UID:10000284-1771581600-1771588800@www.ohcow.on.ca
SUMMARY:RSI Day 2026 Week 3
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \nRepetitive Strain Injury Day Webinar Series\nOHCOW is pleased to announce the return of our free annual international event focussed on musculoskeletal disorders and their prevention. Now in its 27th year\, OHCOW’s RSI Day program continues to translate the knowledge and experience of our professional staff and guest speakers to increase awareness and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. Due its ever-expanding audience\, this year’s event will again be held virtually\, as a 4-week webinar series over the month of February. \nWEEK THREE[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]10:00 AM – 10:15 AM\nWelcome Message and Overview \nSpeaker: Trevor Schell – Coordinator/OHCOW Ergonomist \n  \n\n10:15 AM – 11:00 AM \nSimplifying Ergonomic Risk: A First Look at the Preliminary Ergonomics Risk Assessment Tool (PERAT) \nSpeaker: Nathan Birtch – WSPS Special Consultant (Ergonomics)\nIdentifying musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) hazards is often supported by simple checklists\, but prioritizing these hazards and assigning risk ratings typically requires complex assessment tools and specialized ergonomics knowledge. To address this gap\, Nathan Birtch\, Ergonomist at WSPS\, collaborated with employers and fellow ergonomists to design and pilot a practical\, easy-to-use solution: the Preliminary Ergonomics Risk Assessment Tool (PERAT). PERAT goes beyond basic checklists\, providing a structured approach without the complexity or time demands of in-depth ergonomic assessments. In this session\, we’ll introduce the tool\, share insights from its 2025 trial\, and outline next steps for formal evaluation and validation. While PERAT is not yet available for general use\, plans are underway to release it alongside a training component to ensure effective implementation. \n  \n\n11:00 AM – 11:45 AM \nFrom Pixels to Prevention: How AI is Changing Ergonomic Assessment\nSpeaker: Steven L. Fischer – Associate Professor | Associate Chair Applied Research Partnerships and Outreach\nAssociate Director Research\, CRE-MSD and Department of Kinesiology | University of Waterloo\nThis presentation will share insights about how advances in computer vision and artificial intelligence are transforming simple smart phone videos into actionable insights for musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) prevention. Attendees will learn how emerging best-practice guidelines are shaping the responsible use of AI for ergonomic assessment\, including a specific case-example of the use of computer vision to drive a revised NIOSH Lifting Equation analysis. \n  \n\n\n11:45 AM – 12:15 PM \nQ & A\n[/vc_column_text]REGISTER[/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/event/rsi-day-2026-week-1-2-3/
CATEGORIES:RSI Day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/featurediconRSI2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260227T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260227T120000
DTSTAMP:20260621T191956Z
CREATED:20260108T152819Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260621T191956Z
UID:10000285-1772186400-1772193600@www.ohcow.on.ca
SUMMARY:RSI Day 2026 Week 4
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] \nRepetitive Strain Injury Day Webinar Series Week 4\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]10:00 AM – 10:15 AM\nWelcome Message and Overview \nTrevor Schell – Coordinator/OHCOW Ergonomist \n  \n\n  \n10:15 AM – 11:00 AM \nProtective or Problematic? Passive Shoulder Exoskeleton Use and Musculoskeletal Risk in Overhead Drilling: A Field to Lab Study\nSpeaker: Maria Valerio – Senior Project Manager\, Conestoga College\nRecent interest in passive shoulder exoskeletons is reshaping how we address musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risks in overhead construction work. These devices aim to reduce shoulder stress and perceived strain\, yet questions remain about their impact on workers’ risk perception and muscular effort. Using a field to lab research approach\, we examined exoskeleton use during overhead drilling tasks in construction jobs. Overall\, exoskeletons may lower strain in some muscles but shift it to others\, potentially altering risk perception. Informed by this study and related research\, we will provide evidence-based insights to guide ergonomists in MSD prevention strategies. \n  \n\n11:00 AM – 11:45 AM \nPouring over the Data: Conditions of Work and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Among Alcohol Service Workers from Ontario\nSpeakers: Kristin Yates – Researcher\, Conestoga College\, Pete Driezen – Senior Data Analyst\, Conestoga College\, Mohammad Howard-Azzeh – Data Analyst\, Conestoga College\nPeople employed in the food and beverage industry in Canada face many occupational health and safety issues. Burnout is a major psychosocial challenge\, especially among servers\, bartenders\, and managers. Likewise\, musculoskeletal discomfort and pain are notable due to physically demanding tasks such as prolonged standing\, repetitive movements\, and handling heavy loads in fast-paced work environments. This study reports the results of a survey of 595 people employed in the alcohol service industry\, primarily from Ontario\, Canada. It explores the psychosocial conditions of work using the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire along with risk factors for chronic pain in this high-risk population. Implications of these findings for the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries in this population are discussed. \n  \n\n11:45 AM – 12:15 PM\nQ & A[/vc_column_text]REGISTER[/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/event/rsi-day-2026-week-1-2-4/
CATEGORIES:RSI Day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/featurediconRSI2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260228
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260301
DTSTAMP:20260221T184830Z
CREATED:20260118T161012Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260221T184830Z
UID:10000340-1772236800-1772323199@www.ohcow.on.ca
SUMMARY:Repetitive Strain Injury Day
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]A day to take account of ways to prevent and treat repetitive strain injuries\, and to take note of the varying causes of such injuries.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]See details of OHCOW’s RSI Day Webinar Series.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/event/repetitive-strain-injury-day/
CATEGORIES:External Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.ohcow.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/featurediconRSI2.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR