Work Shouldn’t Hurt

OHCOW contributes to Global Ergonomics Month

Celebrated in October each year, Global Ergonomics Month is an international outreach campaign promoting human-centred design through the science, application and profession of ergonomics or human factors. These disciplines are focused on optimizing human well-being as well as overall system performance by proactively designing work and work systems to fit the people interfacing with them in ways that improve efficiency, productivity, health, safety and comfort. Ergonomics is ultimately good for business and good for people.

OHCOW is contributing to the Month in several ways:

By launching a suite of Ergo Tools to assist workers, supervisors and JHS Committee members in identifying and characterizing ergonomic hazards, and developing realistic solutions.  Assembled and built by our new Hamilton Ergonomist, Dr. Mike Sonne, it will be officially launched at an Ontario Prevention System event on October 26th, but is available now at:  www.ohcow.on.ca/ergotools.  Be part of our user experience group — try it, share it, and tell us how you like it at ask@ohcow.on.ca

Events

Ergonomic Tools for Offices and More, co-hosted by OHCOW

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Registration link – http://www.iwh.on.ca/events/ergonomic-tools-for-offices-webinar

Presenters: Michael Sonne, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers; Dwayne Van Eerd, Institute for Work & Health

OHCOW is presenting their new “ergotools” web application – a set of 6 commonly used ergonomics tools that can help determine if jobs are acceptable in the workplace.

IWH will be presenting eOfficeErgo — an evidence-based and standard-compliant online training program designed for employees who regularly use computers on the job.

The webinar will consist of a presentation of both application’s features, as well as a demo, and time for questions.

Dealing with MSDs: A Look at Prevention and Return to Work Programs

Date: October 28th from 

Time:  12:00pm to 1:30pm

Link: http://www.pshsa.ca/product/dealing-msds-look-prevention-return-work-programs-october-28-2016-1200pm-130pm-webinar/

Presenters: Tracey Feener-Snow, Occupational Health Nurse and Chelsie Desrochers, Ergonomist OHCOW Ottawa; Andre Gauvin, Ergonomist, OHCOW Sudbury, plus PSHSA & WSIB reps

This collaborative session will broad introduction to the implications of MSDs. Based on 2 case studies, OHCOW will describe MSD injuries, particularly how they affect workers both physically and psychologically. Including anatomy, symptoms, and causes. PSHSA will discuss primary MSD prevention strategies, and WSIB will discuss secondary prevention via a return to work program. Participants will gain a better understanding of MSD injuries and their consequences, plus the importance of prevention through intervention. 

Developing Procedures for dealing with MSD Hazards & When Technology Hurts: bringing awareness to the hazards that exist with increased use of tablets, cell phones and laptops in the workplace. Lunch and Learn session 

Dates:   November 1, 2016 at OHCOW’s Windsor Clinic, 3129 Marentette Ave.

November 3, 2016 at OHCOW’s Sarnia Clinic, 171 Kendall St

Presenters:  Brenda Mallat BHK, CCPE & Melissa Statham  MHK, OHCOW Ergonomists

Lunch will be provided.

Registration – There are a limited number of spaces.  Deadline to register is October 21, 2016. 

To register in Windsor please contact Kathy Mayville at kmayville@ohcow.on.ca or 519 973 4800 ext. 2510

To register in Sarnia, please contact Ann Tanner at atanner@ohcow.on.ca or 5193374627 ext. 2322

In addition, check out the Ministry of Labour’s Ergonomics Month website for a listing of more events, tools and resources to raise awareness of this important subject:

https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/ergonomics.php

And visit https://www.ohcow.on.ca/musculoskeletal-disorders.html for more information and resources – putting health and safety in the hands of workplace parties.