The Path from Survey Development to Knowledge Activism: A Case Study of the Use of a Physical Loads Survey in a Retail Workplace.

Workers at a multi-site retailer were concerned that they were experiencing higher than anticipated work-related musculoskeletal disabilities (MSDs). They approached union leadership and academic researchers and a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project was developed which culminated in a targeted online Physical Loads Survey (PLS). The goal was to initiate discussions to design a preventative collaborative ergonomic program. Survey results confirmed that during a shift, workers had significant exposure to standing, carrying loads of more than 25 lbs, pushing and pulling loads greater than 225 lbs, and repetitive arm and hand movements. The successful survey was the first step in the development of a proactive health and safety program. The union proceeded without management participation and was able to move beyond knowledge creation to knowledge activism and change.

Setting priorities: Testing a tool to assess and prioritize workplace chemical hazards.

BACKGROUND: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training is obligatory for Ontario workplaces. The purpose of this training is to help workers understand the health and safety issues associated with using chemicals, including how to understand the information contained in the Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) that come with all chemicals. However, many workers still do not know how hazardous workplace chemicals can be and they find it difficult to objectively determine the level of hazard posed by the chemicals they use. OBJECTIVE: A team of researchers, unions, and health and safety associations created a tool for Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC) of small and medium-sized businesses to help them identify, assess and prioritize the health hazards posed by workplace chemicals using SDSs as the primary source of information. METHODS: The team recruited the JHSCs of six workplaces to pilot the usefulness of the Chemical Hazard Assessment and Prioritization (CHAP) tool. The CHAP tool helps workplaces rank their chemicals within one of five hazard levels using information contained in SDSs. RESULTS: Despite a difficult recruitment process, the participating JHSCs thought the CHAP process of assessing and prioritizing their workplace chemicals was useful. It raised their awareness of chemical hazards, increased their understanding of SDSs, and helped them prioritize their chemicals for improved control measures. CONCLUSIONS: Small and medium-sized businesses found the tool to be useful, but suggested that an electronic version would be easier to use.