WEEK ONE

Friday, February 6

Part One: Welcome Message and Overview

Speaker: Trevor Schell - Coordinator/OHCOW Ergonomist

Part Two: Symptoms in the Opposite or Uninjured Leg and Limping-Related Back Pain: Secondary Effects on Lower-Extremity Joints and the Spine

Speaker: Trevor Schell - OHCOW Ergonomist, Sudbury; Cathrine Hjelle Feier - UW Post Doctoral Fellow

This 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.

Part Three: Applying Ergonomics at Home

Speaker: Daryl Stephenson - OHCOW Ergonomist, Hamilton

When 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.

WEEK TWO

Friday, February 13

Welcome Message and Overview

Speaker: Trevor Schell - Coordinator/OHCOW Ergonomist

Understanding Fatigue in Occupational Hand Tasks

Speaker: Michael Holmes - Program Director, Brock University

Repetitive 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.

Ergonomics and Pregnancy

Speakers: Andrew Flanagan - OHCOW Ergonomist, Sarnia;  Melissa Statham - OHCOW Ergonomist, Windsor; Jessica Montgomery - OHCOW

Pregnancy 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.

WEEK THREE

Friday, February 20

Part One: Welcome Message and Overview

Speaker: Trevor Schell

Simplifying Ergonomic Risk: A First Look at the Preliminary Ergonomics Risk Assessment Tool (PERAT)

Speaker: Nathan Birtch - WSPS Consultant (Ergonomics)

Identifying 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.

From Pixels to Prevention: How AI is Changing Ergonomic Assessment

Speaker: Steven L. Fischer - Associate Professor | Associate Chair Applied Research Partnerships and Outreach
Associate Director Research, CRE-MSD and Department of Kinesiology | University of Waterloo
This 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.

WEEK FOUR

Friday, February 27

Part 1: Welcome Message and Overview

Trevor Schell - Coordinator/OHCOW Ergonomist

Part 2: Protective or Problematic? Passive Shoulder Exoskeleton Use and Musculoskeletal Risk in Overhead Drilling: A Field to Lab Study

Speaker: Maria Cristina Herrera Valerio
Senior Project Manager CISWP
Canadian Institute for Safety
Recent 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.

Part 3: Pouring over the Data: Conditions of Work and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Among Alcohol Service Workers from Ontario

Speakers:
Kristin Yates - Researcher, Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance
Pete Driezen - Senior Data Analyst, Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance
Mohammad Howard-Azzeh - Data Analyst, Canadian Institute for Safety
People 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.