Laurentian University

Laurentian University professor and research chair among four Canadians selected for women in science expedition

Dr. Tammy Eger is one of 95 leading women in science worldwide who will journey with “Homeward Bound” to Antarctica in 2019.

Dr. Tammy Eger, Professor of Human Kinetics at Laurentian University and Research Chair at the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health is among only four Canadians selected for the fourth “Homeward Bound” cohort (HB4). She and 95 women representing 28 countries will complete a 12-month intensive leadership program for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Medicine (STEMM). The leadership program will culminate in a 3-week journey to Antarctica in November 2019 to learn about climate change and polar science.

“Homeward Bound” is a 10-year global initiative to equip 1,000 women in the STEMM fields with the skills to lead and to influence policy and decision-making in ways that will help to create a sustainable future for the planet.

According to the Unesco Institute for Statistics (UIS), less than 30% of the world’s researchers are women. “Even fewer women are in leadership positions in STEMM,” said Dr. Eger. “Initiatives such as this are critical to provide leadership training for women and to raise awareness about gender issues in these fields.”

“I am absolutely thrilled to have been chosen for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” added Dr. Eger. “I look forward to meeting the members of my cohort, sharing our experiences and collectively working to increase global leadership opportunities for women in STEMM.”

The 12-month program has four core development components: leadership development, strategic capability, visibility and science communication, and science collaboration. Delivered by an expert global faculty, “Homeward Bound” comprises lectures, personal and leadership development tools, coaching sessions, visibility training and the opportunity to develop meaningful collaborations in forums, in teams with a focus on areas of interest, and in small diverse cohorts. More information on Homeward Bound, including a full list of HB4 participants, visit the program website.

CROSH researchers at Laurentian University receive three grants from the government of Ontario

January 16, 2017 - Laurentian University’s Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) will receive more than $300,000 in new research funding from the Ontario government. Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault made the announcement at the CROSH lab today in the presence of Laurentian University’s Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Pierre Zundel.

Ontario is awarding a total of $310K to support innovative research projects and top talent. 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.

The awards include:

182K through the MOL Occupational Health and Safety Prevention Innovation Program to support the project: Development of Knowledge Transfer Kits to Address Mobile Equipment Hazards.
Project lead: Dr. Tammy Eger
Project Aims: To develop three Knowledge Transfer Kits to address the following hazards related to the operation of mobile equipment: 1) Line-of-sight and situational awareness, 2) Exposure to vibration, and 3) Fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders. The KTKs are designed to be used by occupational health and safety trainers in the workplace.
68K through the MOL Research Opportunities Program: Research for the Workplace to support the project: Mino-nokiiwin: Advancing an Understanding of Indigenous Occupational Health and Safety in Northeastern Ontario
Project leads: Dr. Nancy Lightfoot and Dr. Darrel Manitowabi
Project Aims: In the Ojibwa language, mino-nokiiwin refers to a good working environment. This project will identify factors that compromise and contribute to mino-nokiiwin in Indigenous communities.
59K through the MOL Research Opportunities Program: Evidence for Practice to support the project: Improving line of sight knowledge for pedestrians working around heavy equipment
Project lead: Dr. Alison Godwin
Project Aims: 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 and were chosen based on their research excellence and societal benefits for Ontarians. They build on the innovative research already underway at CROSH and foster new discoveries to support best practice in the workplace.

Minister Thibeault agrees and says: “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.”

CROSH Research Chair Tammy Eger and Director Sandra Dorman believe that these funds will help drive the development and implementation of the Centre’s research and innovation strategy. They also underscore the province’s commitment to the long term sustainability of the only Occupational Health and Safety Research Centre addressing the specific research needs of northern Ontario.

About Laurentian University

Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. Laurentian University, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe peoples of Atikameksheng First Nation, prepares students as agents of change and empowers them to create innovative responses to local and global challenges. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates. With nine Canada Research Chairs and eighteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics, rural and northern children’s health, and occupational health and safety.

CROSH 'driving prevention through research'

Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) unveiled Canada’s first mobile laboratory for occupational safety and health research

Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn, Laurentian University President and Vice Chancellor Dominic Giroux and Laurentian University’s Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) unveiled Canada’s first mobile laboratory for occupational safety and health research (Mobile-CROSH) today.

“With our investment of $500,200, Mobile-CROSH will allow researchers and university students to connect with geographically-isolated workers in northern Ontario communities. This will lead to even better prevention of occupational injuries and disease,” stated Labour Minister Kevin Flynn. “This is a ground-breaking approach to occupational health and safety research, and we are proud to be able to launch this initiative.”

Mobile-CROSH, (M-CROSH) is a custom designed vehicle, a 40-foot mobile lab which includes a clinic room, meeting area, and lab space; to support field research in mental health and quality of worklife, mobile equipment design for accident prevention, vibration-induced injury prevention, fatigue mitigation, heat stress prevention, sleep hygiene to improve sleep quality and quantity, and evaluation of intervention programs; to name a few.

M-CROSH will serve as a bridge to communities, often excluded from occupational health and safety research due to their northern geography. It will increase collaboration between research Centres, workers, industry, and health and safety agencies.

The research conducted by M-CROSH will be vital and the results will benefit workers throughout Canada. “This mobile lab will be a critical element to CROSH’s Field – to Lab – to Field research approach”, said Leo Gerard, International USW President and Chair of the CROSH Advisory Board. “By bringing the research lab to northern worksites, workers can play an active role in improving their own workplaces.”

CROSH Research Chair, Dr. Tammy Eger and Director, Dr. Sandra Dorman agree: “M-CROSH will change the way occupational health and safety research is conducted. It will connect workers to current best practices through CROSH collaborations with other research Centres and Safe Workplace Association partners”.

A number of communities across Northern Ontario will see M-CROSH roll into town as the inaugural Driving Prevention Through Research tour kicks off this fall.

About Laurentian University

CROSH moves forward in safety and health with $1.2M in new funding

Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health at Laurentian to create Mobile Lab

APRIL 29, 2016 – The Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) at Laurentian University today celebrates the launch of two ground-breaking new initiatives, thanks to research awards that total more than $1.2M in new funding.

CROSH has been awarded $550,000 toward purchasing and equipping a Mobile Laboratory, a 32-ft custom-built trailer that will support ongoing research in occupational safety and health. The mobile lab, or M-CROSH, will bring researchers to communities and workers who are typically excluded from occupational research. M-CROSH and its portable equipment will enable field research in numerous areas, including musculo-skeletal disorders, mobile equipment ergonomics, vibration, air quality, fatigue management, and mental health.

“With this mobile lab, workers across the north will be able to contribute directly to important research in occupational health and safety,” said Leo Gerard, International President, USW and Chair of the CROSH Advisory Board. “This innovative approach brings the research facility right to the workers, in their communities and on their jobsites, and gives them the opportunity to play an active role in improving workplaces.”

CROSH has also received close to $200,000 toward the construction of its Workplace Simulator, which will allow researchers to replicate the environment and conditions of almost any northern Ontario workplace. The simulator, W-SIM, integrates a robotic motion platform to simulate vibration, an environmental chamber that controls temperature and humidity, and a virtual reality eye-tracker to simulate a worker’s surroundings.

Both the Workplace Simulator and the Mobile Laboratory are unique pieces of infrastructure, believed to be the first of their kind anywhere in Canada.

“These new tools will truly solidify our position in the forefront of research in occupational safety and health,” said CROSH Research Chair, Dr. Tammy Eger. “With these investments, along with the funds dedicated to supporting and expanding our research capacity, we will be able to address critical issues in health and safety in Ontario workplaces.”

Funders of the latest CROSH initiatives include

Ontario Ministry of Labour, $500,000 (M-CROSH) and $492,000 (Research Capacity grant)
Canada Foundation for Innovation $143,000 (W-SIM)
Goodman School of Mines $50,000 (M-CROSH) and $50,000 (W-SIM)

“We congratulate CROSH and we gratefully acknowledge the funders whose support has been so crucial to our ambitious research program,” said Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President Research at Laurentian University. “These investments demonstrate a high degree of confidence in CROSH and in Laurentian University in its mandate to lead the field in Occupational Safety and Health.”

Laurentian creates a new mining innovation and technology research hub

Laurentian Mining Innovation and Technology (LMIT), will coordinate and promote all mining-related research.

FEBRUARY 19, 2016 – Laurentian University has announced the establishment of a new mining innovation and technology research initiative, LMIT, which will synchronize and optimize research and innovation activities in all aspects of mining and mineral exploration at Laurentian University.

The new initiative, Laurentian Mining Innovation and Technology (LMIT), will coordinate and promote all mining-related research conducted at Laurentian’s award-winning research centres, including the Mineral Exploration Research Centre (MERC), the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH), the Vale Living with Lakes Centre (VLWLC) and the Mining Innovation Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO).

Laurentian University already ranks first in Canada in funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) in Economic Geology, first in Canada in NSERC funding in Applied Geophysics and first in Ontario in NSERC funding in Mining and Mineral Processing. A second prestigious Canada Research Chair was created in 2013 at VLWLC, while a Research Chair in Occupational Safety and Health was established at CROSH in 2015.

Laurentian University now offers a one-stop approach to its mining and mineral exploration research, which is unified under LMIT. This integration and synchronization will help to generate new opportunities for mining-related research, while coordinating Laurentian’s relationships with external partners in mining research and innovation.

President and CEO of MIRARCO, Mr. Vic Pakalnis has been appointed Associate Vice-President of LMIT. “We are sharpening our focus on mining research while solidifying Laurentian’s position as the pre-eminent mining research leader in Canada,” said Pakalnis.

The Honourable Reza Moridi, Minister of Research and Innovation and Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities applauded the initiative, “Our government supports and encourages innovative research collaborations at Ontario’s post-secondary institutions, and Laurentian University has demonstrated exemplary leadership in the creation of Laurentian Mining Innovation and Technology,” said Minister Moridi. “This initiative will drive research and innovation in the field of mineral development and mining and will help grow Ontario’s knowledge-based economy.”

“The outstanding talent and vision of Laurentian’s research teams and this strategically prioritized approach have positioned Laurentian as a global leader in mineral exploration and mining research and innovation. We are excited by the prospect of LMIT augmenting the excellence of our mining research,” said Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President of Research at Laurentian University. “The establishment of LMIT will also allow Laurentian to more effectively work with our community and industry partners to align with the recently renewed Ontario Mineral Development Strategy (2015).”

To view Laurentian University’s 2012-2017 Strategic Research Plan click the link below Strategic Research Plan.

Vale, the United Steelworkers and CROSH kick-off groundbreaking new study on mining and mental health

Ontario Minister of Labour, Kevin Flynn, applauded the partners for taking a proactive role in addressing mental health issues through this study.

July 23, 2015 – Today Vale and the United Steelworkers, in partnership with the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) at Laurentian University, announced a groundbreaking new research project on the topic of mental health in the mining industry.

The aim of the 3-year study, called ‘Mining Mental Health’, is to gain vital information in order to develop key strategies that promote the best possible mental health for workers at Vale’s Ontario Operations. In addition, this study will contribute substantially to the body of research to help others in the mining industry and similar sectors to develop evidence-based practices that effectively promote positive mental health.

Ontario Minister of Labour, Kevin Flynn, applauded the partners for taking a proactive role in addressing mental health issues through this study.

“Good employers recognize the importance of keeping their people physically safe and healthy on the job, and great employers are taking the next step to ensure their workplaces promote psychological safety and well-being,” said Minister Flynn. “Vale is becoming a leader in this area, and I want to thank them for supporting this research project and taking mental health in the workplace seriously. I hope to see many companies follow their lead.”

Existing data suggests that the percentage of disability claims in Canada attributable to mental health problems is estimated at 78% of short-term claims and 67% of long-term claims. At Vale’s Ontario Operations, approximately one in four of all disability claims are due to mental health problems.

“In order to build an effective mental health management system, it is vital to understand the predictors, facilitators and barriers to good mental health at our operations and in our industry,” said Jody Kuzenko, Director of Vale’s Ontario Production Services and member of the CROSH Board. “We are proud to be taking a leading role through this research, in partnership with the United Steelworkers and Laurentian University, to help contribute to the well-being of our workers.”

“Mental health, especially as it relates to workers in an industrial setting, has long been an overlooked and underfunded area of research, which is why this study is so important,” said Leo Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers and Chair of the CROSH Advisory Board. “I’m pleased and excited that the USW, Vale and CROSH are coming together in such a concrete and meaningful way to try to tackle this issue and reduce the suffering and effects of poor mental health on workers and their families.”

The project will use a comprehensive survey to sample workers from all occupational groups across Vale’s Ontario Operations. A multidisciplinary research team from CROSH will be led by Dr. Michel Larivière, clinical psychologist and Associate Director at CROSH. The team will work closely with the Vale/USW Joint Occupational Health Committee (JOHC) in all phases of the project from survey development to the presentation of findings.

“To date there has been little research on the mental health and well-being of workers in the mining industry. However, there is good evidence linking these issues to productivity, absenteeism, injury, and most importantly, quality of life,” said Dr. Larivière. “Through this collaborative research, we hope to better understand the well-being of this workforce. Our findings may help to shape policies and procedures that are most conducive to worker well-being in mining and in other industries.”

The research team also includes postdoctoral fellows, as well as graduate and undergraduate students. The cost of the study is estimated at approximately $400,000.

Laurentian opens new occupational health and safety research lab

Representatives of labour and industry joined researchers at Laurentian University for the official opening

APRIL 27, 2015 – Representatives of labour and industry joined researchers at Laurentian University today for the official opening of the new laboratory and research facility at the University’s Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH).

The laboratory will support numerous research projects led by the CROSH team, with the aim of reducing or eliminating occupational injury and illness in the workplace.

“We are excited to be moving forward with studies and research projects that will have an impact on the lives of workers and working families in our communities. The new research laboratory will be instrumental in carrying out this work,” said Dr. Tammy Eger, Research Chair in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Associate Professor in Laurentian’s School of Human Kinetics.

Laurentian University has committed 1,695 sq. ft. of new laboratory space and 629 sq. ft. of office and meeting space to support the research work of CROSH and the research Chair in OHS. To foster transformative and collaborative research, a dedicated lab for motion analysis, advanced biomechanics and ergonomics research has been relocated next to the CROSH laboratory.

CROSH was established in 2008 by Laurentian University to provide a formalized structure for industry, safe workplace associations, labour groups, government organizations and researchers to share workplace injury and disease problems and solutions.

“Researchers at Laurentian have been building on the expertise found in Sudbury for more than a decade now, and this is a significant step forward for CROSH,” said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux. “We acknowledge the support of many partners who have helped to build a top-notch facility to house this important research.”

Funders and supporters of CROSH include the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation,

Vale, Teck, Domtar, United Steelworkers, Mine/Mill Local 598/Unifor, William Shaver, United Association Local 800, Homer Seguin (in memoriam), Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services, Association of Canadian Ergonomists Ontario Region, Provix, Workplace Safety North and Laurentian University.

Renovations to the CROSH lab and furnishings totaled $130,000 and another $100,000 will be spent in the next year to support the purchase of new research infrastructure.

CROSH brings together researchers with expertise in ergonomics, human factors, occupational health, mental health and wellness, fatigue, occupational physiology, labour studies and epidemiology and occupational disease. CROSH has mobilized 25 faculty researchers from Laurentian, encompassing five faculties (Science, Engineering and Architecture; Health; Arts; Education and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine).

The lab will also support undergraduate and graduate student research work. There are currently over 15 graduate student members and 25 undergraduate student members of CROSH.

The establishment of the CROSH lab at Laurentian University will ensure the research team has the tools and infrastructure to solve the critical occupational health and safety problems facing northern Ontario industries so they can eliminate occupational injury and disease from their workplaces.

CROSH researchers are leading research to understand the link between mobile equipment design, accidents and operator injury. Previous research has evaluated line-of-sight, vibration and working postures associated with operating mobile mining equipment. This research has led to improved design of an operating cab, and the installation of cameras to improve line-of-sight. More recently the team has also researched the link between poor sleep hygiene, fatigue and injury and accident risk in underground mining. The CROSH lab will enable this team of researchers to continue this work with their partners and initiate new research to evaluate the impact of virtual reality and simulation training to enhance mobile equipment operator safety.

In 2013, the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) reported a total of 195,393 registered workplace injury or illness claims. There were 82 traumatic fatal injuries in Ontario. Of the non-fatal injuries, more than 40-thousand resulted in time lost from the workplace with sprains and strains accounting for 40% of all lost-time claims.

Laurentian appoints new Research Chair in Occupational Health and Safety

As Research Chair, Dr. Eger will be responsible for research growth and development at CROSH.

November 20, 2014 – Laurentian University today announced the appointment of Dr. Tammy Eger as Research Chair in Occupation Health and Safety effective January 1, 2015. Dr. Eger is an Associate Professor at Laurentian University in the School of Human Kinetics and is currently Director of the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH).

As Research Chair, Dr. Eger will be responsible for research growth and development at CROSH. Dr. Eger will also work closely with other members of the CROSH team to further develop national and international collaborations in Occupational Health and Safety research, training, and global best practices.

“Tammy has done an outstanding job of bringing attention and funding to this important area of research, which affects the lives of so many workers in our region and beyond,” said Acting Vice-President, Research, Dr. Anne-Marie Mawhiney.

Dr. Eger has received over $2.8 million dollars in research funding as a principal and co-investigator from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canadian Foundation for Innovation, and the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, and the Ontario Ministry of Labour. She has attracted an additional $1.9 million in funding as Director of the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health. She is an invited member of the ISO standards committee concerned with human exposure to vibration, the Mining Legislative Review sub-committee on proximity detection, and a resource member to the hazards committee, and management of change committee of the Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review.

“Our industrial history here in Sudbury and across Ontario, has made this area of research a matter of urgency,” said Leo Gerard President, USW International and Chair of the CROSH advisory board. “Dr. Eger’s appointment will provide the leadership needed to build upon successes and expand CROSH’s influence to respond to community needs identifying health and safety concerns and eliminating hazards and occupational disease from workplaces around the North.”

For over a decade, Laurentian University has been building on its expertise in the area of occupational health and safety, beginning with mining and expanding to other workplace sectors. Officially approved by Laurentian University’s Senate in 2008, CROSH is a multidisciplinary group of researchers, guided by an advisory board comprised of representatives from labour, industry and local health and safety organizations. CROSH researchers are engaged in innovative studies aimed at identifying solutions to prevent occupational injuries and diseases of concern to northern Ontario workplaces.

“Dr. Eger brings depth, breadth, commitment and passion to her role as Research Chair, and on behalf of industry, we applaud her appointment,” said Jody Kuzenko, Director of Production Services for Vale’s Ontario Operations and member of the CROSH advisory board. “Under her leadership, CROSH is poised to meet its vision of uniting industry, labour, government and other key partners to find solutions that will support our collective goal of ensuring every worker gets home safe and healthy every day.”

“CROSH is uniquely positioned to become a national leader in Occupational Health and Safety and I look forward to taking on this new role and focusing my energy on research development,” said Dr. Eger.

Key funders for the position of Research Chair in Occupational Health and Safety include: the Northern Ontario Heritage Funding Corporation, Vale, United Steelworkers, TECK, Domtar and Unifor.

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