Improving Workplace Health Through Education, Awareness and Advocacy

That's the theme of CCOH's strategic plan.   The CCOH Board has adopted four strategic priorities to implement its vision for improving workplace health:

1. Provide training opportunities for people to become accredited professionals and to obtain professional development in occupational hygiene.

2. Promote awareness about the impact workplaces can have on worker health and the value the occupational hygiene profession brings to the prevention of work related disease and illness.

3. Advocate for action on occupational disease and illness prevention.

4. Establish a sustainable financial and operational framework to enable the CCOH to become the national champion for workplace health.

This strategy only represents a small step towards achieving our vision and we will need the help and dedication of many
individuals to see it implemented. If you would like to get involved with CCOH or learn more about CCOH, don't hesitate to contact your local Board member or email us here.

You can read the strategic plan in further detail here.

April 28th is the National Day of Mourning observed every year to commemorate workers injured, disabled or killed on the job or who suffer from occupational disease. The Government of Canada officially recognized this day with the passing of the Workers Mourning Day Act in 1990 and it is recognized in over 80 countries around the world.

The numbers are staggering. In 2010, 1014 "accepted" workplace deaths were recorded in Canada - an increase from 939 the previous year.   As we take pause to remember those workers who have suffered or died due to unsafe work, we can each make a renewed committment to strive for safer workplaces.

CCOHS: http://www.ccohs.ca/events/mourning/

In a new research published by the IRSST, the researchers observed important styrene exposure peaks in the fibreglass reinforced plastics industry, even though in certain cases, the measured styrene values exceeded the standards prescribed by the Regulation respecting occupational health and safety. Furthermore, the researchers noted that the volunteers exposed to styrene at average concentrations of 137 mg/m3 showed a frequency of irritation symptoms higher than the “Control group” or the “Average group.” For the other tests and symptoms, the results showed no relationship between styrene, at the exposure levels in this study, and measurable effects on the nervous system. Also, the results obtained with the “Group with peaks” were no different from those obtained with the “Control group” and the “Group without peaks.”

In several studies, the styrene exposure duration (more than eight years) has been demonstrated to have a possible effect on the nervous system. This is an important factor to consider in studying the chronic effects of styrene. The average duration of exposure of the workers in our study was only 5.6 years, which could explain the negative results that we obtained. The concentrations of the peaks remain high in the fibreglass reinforced plastics industry (FRPI) and must continue to receive particular attention by occupational hygienists when measuring styrene concentrations in the workplace.

To download the full text in English please go here.

The document is available in French as well by going here.

The Alberta AIHA local section is presenting  a 1-day professional development course, Risk and Crisis Communications: Methods and Messages on March 8, 2012 followed on March 9, 2012 with a 1-day Symposium and Annual General Meeting. Details of both events can be downloaded from the Alberta local section web site here.

The IRSST published an evaluation of whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure of operators of soil compactors. Single-drum vibratory compactors are widely used for compaction of soils and road building.

This study investigates vibration properties and operator exposure to WBV of single-drum vibratory soil compactors through measurements, and presents spectral classes of vibration that could be applied for identifying desired interventions. Two test series were undertaken to characterize the mechanical vibration properties of the vehicles and vibration exposure of the operators. The first test series was performed on a test track under controlled conditions, namely, the speed, the amplitude of vibration due to the rotating mass integrated within the drum and the soil properties. The objective was to determine the vibration behaviours of the vehicles in terms of dominant ride frequencies and probable vibration modes. The second test series was undertaken at two different worksites in Québec in order to quantify and assess the WBV exposure under typical working conditions.

Le Conseil canadien d'hygiène du travail (CCHT) est fier d'annoncer qu'il a signé un protocole d'entente avec l'American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Le protocole d'entente établi entre les organismes sans but lucratif a été signé le 2 juin et il favorisera la coordination des efforts pour améliorer la santé et la sécurité des travailleurs.

La relation entre le CCHT et l'AIHA générera des activités conjointes pour améliorer et mettre en évidence le rôle des hygiénistes du travail et d'autres professionnels des Services de santé au travail et d'hygiène du milieu et ainsi faire avancer la pratique et l'industrie au sens large. Cette collaboration favorisera des programmes éducatifs conjoints, y compris des activités de perfectionnement professionnel, en plus de contribuer à l'American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce).

« Afin de s'assurer que le CCHT est en mesure d'offrir les meilleurs services à ses membres et de représenter les intérêts des hygiénistes du travail canadiens à l'étranger, nous devons forger des partenariats stratégiques avec d'autres organismes nationaux de l'hygiène du travail, a déclaré Jason McInnis, le président du CCHT. L'AIHA possède une longue tradition de services estimés envers ses membres et de défense des intérêts au nom de la collectivité de l'hygiène du travail dans son ensemble - une orientation impressionnante qu'elle poursuit à ce jour. Nous sommes ravis de travailler avec l'AIHA et son équipe de dirigeants pour offrir des avantages à tous nos membres. » Elizabeth Pullen, la présidente de l'AIHA, anticipe que ce partenariat aura un grand succès. « Je suis impatiente de travailler avec le CCHT, qui représente les organismes d'hygiène industrielle des provinces canadiennes. Nous pensons que cette collaboration fournira une excellente occasion tant à l'AIHA qu'au CCHT de poursuivre leurs missions et leurs objectifs respectifs visant à protéger la santé des travailleurs », a indiqué Mme Pullen.

Pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements, visitez le site Web http://www.aiha.org.