Prevention of MSD in the Transportation Sector: A Collaborative Research Approach

Transcription

1 Prevention of MSD in the Transportation Sector: A Collaborative Research Approach Richard Wells University of Waterloo, and Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Ontario, Canada CRE-MSD receives support from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario, Research

2 Occupational Health and Safety Prevention Research The Ontario Context Labour falls with the Provincial jurisdiction. with a relatively small Federal presence in occupational health (no NIOSH ). Recognition of the need to harness the research capability of universities and apply it to occupational health Small amount of funding from provincial workplace compensation agency to create Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD), a network of researchers, workplaces and workplace stakeholders

3 Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders Vision To bring 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. 1. To support workplace-partnered, stakeholder-focused research into the primary prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. 2. To generate transferable knowledge on the primary prevention of musculoskeletal disorders at work.

4 University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON Job rotation, Principles together with the and development Practices of job variety of and Job job enlargement, Rotation, is a 7th common December strategy of 2004 organizations from the point of view of workplace health and the improvement of productivity. But what do University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON we know about it? There are still many questions that need to be asked: Is job rotation a way of preventing musculoskeletal disorders and disabilities (MSDs)? Does job rotation lead to increased job satisfaction or quality or productivity? Job rotation, Are together there with disadvantages the development of job rotation? of job variety and job enlargement, is a common strategy of organizations from the point of view of workplace health and the improvement of productivity. But what do This workshop we know will consider about it? workplace There are organizational still many questions factors, that working need to conditions, be asked: and Is job the rotation organizational a way of preventing benefits of musculoskeletal job rotation, and disorders how they and relate disabilities to the prevention (MSDs)? of Does MSDs job in rotation industry. lead These to increased questions job present satisfaction or the opportunity quality to or participate productivity? in an Are exchange there disadvantages of views and discussion. of job rotation? 8:00-9:00 am Registration The morning This will workshop be dedicated will consider to presentations workplace from organizational 9:00-10:30 researchers factors, who have working Findings studied conditions, the job effects rotation and from of the job field organizational research in Canada and Europe rotation with benefits responses of job from rotation, business and and how labour they relate and 10:30-11:00am a to panel the prevention discussion. of The Break MSDs afternoon with in light industry. refreshments will begin These with questions present case studies the from opportunity organizations to participate that have in an had exchange experience of views with job and rotation. discussion. Attendees will then break into 11:00-12:00 small, interactive discussion groups. They will share their experiences: 8:00-9:00 am Commentary from Registration a business and labour perspective followed by panel discussion with presenters. the reason for adopting job rotation, their experiences The morning of implementing will be dedicated rotation, to and presentations their 12:00-12:45pm perceptions from 9:00-10:30 Light Lunch researchers of the advantages who have and Findings studied disadvantages on the job effects rotation of from of job field research in Canada and Europe job rotation. rotation with responses from business and 12:45-2:00pm labour and 10:30-11:00am a panel discussion. Case study presentations The Break afternoon with light refreshments will begin with case studies from organizations that have 2:00- had 3:15pm experience with job Break rotation. into small Attendees will then break into Commentary groups to address from a business implementation and labour questions 11:00-12:00 perspective followed by panel discussion with presenters. The results small, of these interactive discussions discussion will be groups. recorded They and will made share available their experiences: after the workshop. the reason for adopting job rotation, their experiences of implementing rotation, 3:15-3:30pm Break with light and their Light refreshments 12:00-12:45pm Lunch perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of job rotation. 3:30-4:30pm 12:45-2:00pm Reporting back Case from study workshops presentations followed by questions and a summary This workshop The is results aimed of at these employers, discussions workers, will be injured recorded worker 2:00- and associations, 3:15pm Break into small groups to address implementation questions made available unions, after and the ergonomists workshop. and OH & S consultants within the Health and Safety Associations 3:15-3:30pm and WSIB. Break with light refreshments 3:30-4:30pm Reporting back from workshops followed by questions and a summary A workshop This presented workshop by is aimed the Centre at employers, of Research workers, Mardy Expertise injured Frazer in worker the Prevention associations, Department of of unions, Musculoskeletal Kinesiology and ergonomists and CRE-PREMUS, Disorders and OH Disabilities & S consultants (cre-premus) within the This Health new and Centre Safety works Associations with workplace University and WSIB. parties of Waterloo, to reduce Waterloo. musculoskeletal disorders and disabilities by utilizing knowledge developed Mardy s from primary basic research interest is the and identification of risk factors for, and the workplace studies. The Centre receives substantial funding through a grant reduction provided of, workplace by the Workplace injury. He has been using employee and Safety and A Insurance workshop Board presented (Ontario). by the Centre of Research Expertise employer in the involvement Prevention to investigate of Musculoskeletal techniques for the identification Mardy Frazer Department of Kinesiology and CRE-PREMUS, and measurement of injury risk factors for the upper limb and low Disorders and Disabilities (cre-premus) This new Centre works with workplace parties to reduce back.. University of Waterloo, Waterloo. musculoskeletal disorders and disabilities by utilizing knowledge developed Mardy s from primary basic research interest is the and identification of risk factors for, and the workplace studies. The Centre receives Paul substantial Kuijerfunding through Coronel a grant Institute reduction provided for of, Occupational workplace by the Workplace injury. and He Environmental has been using employee and Safety and Insurance Board (Ontario). Health, Academic employer Medical involvement Center to investigate / University techniques of for the identification and measurement of injury risk factors for the upper limb and low Amsterdam The Netherlands. back.. Paul is working as a senior researcher and consultant in the field of work-related musculoskeletal Paul Kuijer Coronel Institute disorders, for Occupational with special interest and in Environmental the effectiveness of interventions. Health, Academic Medical Center / University of Ted Pattenden President and Amsterdam C.E.O. of The CIMTEK Netherlands. Ted brings over Paul 20 is years working experience as a senior and researcher broad background and consultant in in the field of business leadership work-related and strategic musculoskeletal business disorders, management with in special a variety interest in the of major industries effectiveness to our discussions of interventions. Ted Pattenden President and C.E.O. of CIMTEK David Robertson Work Organization Ted brings & over Training, 20 years CAW experience and broad background in David has co-ordinated business leadership a number and of CAW strategic research business projects, management written in a variety case studies of technological major industries change to our and discussions a number of articles on working conditions benchmarking. David Robertson Work Organization & Training, CAW Nicole Vezina Department David of Kinanthropologie, has co-ordinated a number University of CAW of research Québec projects, at written Montréal (UQAM) case studies Montréal of technological change and a number of articles on working conditions benchmarking. Nicole's fields of research include ergonomic study and analysis, worker health, repetitive work, and the division of labour between male and female workers. Nicole Vezina Department of Kinanthropologie, University of Québec at Richard Wells Department Montréal of Kinesiology (UQAM) and Montréal CRE-PREMUS, University of Nicole's Waterloo, fields of Waterloo research include ergonomic study and analysis, worker health, repetitive work, and the division of labour between Richard is Director of CRE PREMUS and has worked for the last two male and female workers. decades in the causes of MSDs, assessment of work and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders Richard Wells Department of Kinesiology and CRE-PREMUS, University of Waterloo, Waterloo Richard is Director of CRE PREMUS and has worked for the last two For more information please contact: decades Darlene in the causes Garside of MSDs, assessment dgarside@uwaterloo.ca of work and prevention CRE-PREMUS, University of Waterloo, of musculoskeletal 200 University disorders Ave. W., Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 Tel: (519) X5513 or Fax: (519) For more information please contact: Darlene Garside dgarside@uwaterloo.ca CRE-PREMUS, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W., Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 Tel: (519) X5513 or Fax: (519) Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders Activities Workshops and Conferences: Stakeholder Interactions: Job Rotation- is it a Job Rotation- Solution? is it a Solution? Principles and Practices of Job Rotation, 7th December 2004 Who should attend? Who should attend? Schedule Schedule Our Presenters Our Presenters Starter Grants: Build Research Capacity: Web Site: Internships:

5 Collaborative MSD Prevention Research? Why do it?? General preventative solutions for MSDs need adapting to particular sectors and settings Evaluation of particular preventative strategies and solutions highly desirable Improved diffusion of innovation Increase ability of workplaces and groups to understand and use research findings Create a pull for further evidence-based information

6 Why Transportation? Pull New Provincial and Federal emphasis. on MSD prevention Transportation sector had a high lost time injury rates (incl MSDs) Sectoral Health & Safety Association wanted answers for clients Questions about the relevance of existing knowledge on and practice of MSD prevention Few efforts in North America to develop knowledge and practice on MSD prevention in the transportation sector

7 Transportation Sector and MSDs? Their questions What are MSDs?. Are MSDs really connected with work? Although our MSD lost time claims are high, we don t think much can be done about them Motor vehicle accidents and load safety are key issues We have an aging workforce; how can we keep them at work How can we return people to work? How can we increase the pool of good applicants? Our sector is different and solutions from other sectors don t apply

8 How? Collaborative Activities (2 year project) Seed grant from CRE-MSD to turn talk into action 1. Identifying and clarifying sectoral needs. 6. Company activities with ergonomist : task analysis, interviews, observations Understanding the work Courier, garbage, LTL, long haul, flat bed. 2. Getting players together 3. Involving key sectoral actors in project planning and grant preparation (internships) 4. Conference 1: Awareness and call to action something can be done! 7. Inter-company workshop to compare concerns and issues 8. Companies develop countermeasures and trials to evaluate effectiveness & feasibility based on short term indicators 9. Conference #2: What we found: Concerns and countermeasures Grant from WSIB 10.Documentation of concerns and sector specific countermeasures 11.Sectoral association uses and disseminates recommended practices

9 Evaluation, the key step E.g. Do different tarping methods offer advantages? Slips and Trips Fall from heights Rack and Tarp Manual Cardio-vascular demand Productivity Spinal loads Muscle activity Strength required Posture /0 Slider Driver s assessments

10 Deliverables Structure of Recommended Countermeasures: Provincial/Federal Regulations + Compensation Policies and Practices E.g., working hours and breaks, compensation policies Sectoral Transportation Association + Health and Safety Associations E.g., dissemination of MSD awareness, recommended practices Manufacturers of trucks and equipment E.g., cab and seat design, entry and egress systems, tarping and loading systems Customers E.g., provision of adequate docks and facilities Transportation Companies E.g., equipment purchasing, yard equipment and condition, maintenance Drivers E.g., footwear, loading and unloading strategies, equipment choices, cab equipment adjustment

11 Implications for Prevention Awareness and legitimacy of MSDs Awareness and understanding needed MSD risk factors in multiple body areas. High force activities, MMH, seating and WBV common Congruent with reviews presented here Adaptation of general principles to sectors and sub-sectors is important Demonstration projects and detailed support materials The collaborative process addressing MSD prevention uncovered many system level factors that are likely key to change System level analysis and solutions indicated: +ve: potential for larger effects with multi-component approaches? -ve: more complex analysis and solutions? MSD prevention is intimately connected to other key business and health issues (Positive) effects on multiple business and health issues?