Mobile equipment hazards, Indigenous health and safety to be studied
Laurentian University’s Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) in Sudbury, Ont. will receive more than $300,000 in new research funding from the Ontario government. The funding will assist CROSH researchers as they carry out three projects aimed at addressing mobile equipment hazards, advancing Indigenous occupational health and safety in Northern Ontario, and improving safety for people who work around heavy equipment.
“Addressing high hazards associated with the operation of mobile equipment was a priority identified in the 2015 Mining Health, Safety and Prevention review. Furthermore, addressing indigenous workplace issues will begin a conversation about what is needed to improve occupational health and safety of Indigenous peoples in the workplace,” said Minister of Energy Glenn Thibeault.
The awards include $182,000 to develop three knowledge transfer kits to address the following hazards related to the operation of mobile equipment: line-of-sight and situational awareness; exposure to vibration; and fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders. The kits are designed to be used by occupational health and safety trainers in the workplace.
A further $68,000 will be provided for research to advance the understanding of Indigenous OHS in Northeastern Ontario. The project is called “mino-nokiiwin,” which refers to a good working environment in the Ojibwa language. Thie project will identify factors that compromise and contribute to mino-nokiiwin in Indigenous communities.
Another $59,000 will be granted to develop and test a line-of-sight virtual reality intervention aimed at improving line-of-sight awareness and knowledge for workers who move around heavy equipment on a daily basis at work.
These research projects were evaluated through a rigorous peer review process involving academic and industry experts. They build on the research already underway at CROSH and foster new discoveries to support best practice in the workplace.
