OH-PODS: Occupational Health Podcasts

A discussion on the hazards in the nail salon industry, with a focus on occupational asthma. Nail salon workers are exposed to chemical, ergonomic and mental health hazards. Two colleagues from the Occupational Clinics for Ontario Workers discuss these hidden hazards and the increasing occurrence of occupational asthma.

Although we generally do not recognize it, Manual Material Handling takes place in many aspects of our daily lives:  carrying tools or supplies at work, or laundry and groceries at home; getting chores done, or even when having fun in sports or recreation. All these physical tasks place unique demands upon our bodies. In this podcast we discuss common ergonomic risk factors related to moving things around, and provide several simple prevention strategies to help minimize injury at home and at work.  Listen, learn and move safely!

In this podcast, Meghan Friesen and James Miuccio discuss the hazards of crystalline silica exposure in the countertop industry. From the manufacturing of natural and engineered stone, to the finishing and installation processes, they discuss the health risks workers face, such as silicosis and lung cancer. Learn about effective dust control methods, protective equipment, and best practices to reduce exposure and safeguard workers. Tune in to understand how the right controls can make a difference in keeping workers safe.

A discussion on the emerging issue of asthma in the cannabis industry.Workers are exposed to hazards during all the stages of cannabis cultivation. Two colleagues from the Occupational Clinics for Ontario Workers have a conversation about workers in the cannabis production industry and how they can develop allergies and occupational asthma. 

Join two OHCOW Occupational Hygienists as they discuss silica exposures in the news. They explain the recent ban on artificial stone in Australia and how an Emergency Temporary Standard in California attempts to deal with a silicosis cluster. This is the second podcast in the series on silica. Stay tuned for more to come in this series on silica. 

Two OHCOW colleagues in conversation on the health effects of respirable crystalline silica and the new Ontario Silica Control Tool. An introductory Podcast, first in its series on silica. Stay tuned for more to come in this series on silica.

A scientific and systematic review of work history and exposures for Paramedics reveals that they are common to those of Firefighters. Two of the Occupational Hygienists from the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers discuss the origin and source of these same exposures and occupational diseases, more specifically, occupational Cancer.  Tune in to listen to this interesting and revealing conversation to find out more.

Ergonomics is the scientific discipline of fitting the job or task to the physical dimensions, physical abilities, and mental capabilities of the worker – matching the job to the person. The goal of Ergonomic intervention is to identify, minimize, and eliminate hazards (or risk factors) that may contribute to the onset of musculoskeletal injuries.  In this podcast we discuss Ergonomics, Ergonomic risk factors, and Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), as well as how identifying, assessing, and implementing ergonomic controls can help with injury prevention.

Join three occupational hygienist colleagues from the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, as they discuss the adverse health effects of welding.  This is an introductory Podcast, first in its series on welding. Stay tuned for more to come in this series on Welding.

In celebration of the 2023 National Nurses Week “Our Nurses. Our Future.”, several of our OHCOW Occupational Health Nurses discuss the nursing role in our organization, and how our nurses can assist Ontario workers and their families. 

A podcast where we uncover the top 10 items which we have found to be the culprits in roadblocking the progression of a successfully functioning committee.

A discussion with Andrew Flanagan, ergonomist for the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) and Amir Estulin, who is the Western Region MLITSD Ergonomist to understand the role of a MLITSD Ergonomist in reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in Ontario.In the podcast we reference some links that I say we will include in the description. They are:  https://www.ontario.ca/page/filing-workplace-health-and-safety-complaint (11m30s) Home Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (msdprevention.com) (16:20) Ergonomics in the workplace | ontario.ca (17m10s)

This podcast on Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) gives an overview of possible causal occupational and environmental exposures,  while discussing statistics and Top 10 Tools to Prevent NIHL.

Most people probably don't realize that there are many ergonomic risk factors associated with winter season chores that may lead to the onset of musculoskeletal injuries. In this podcast we will discuss the ergonomic risk factors related to winter weather, including snow removal, and other winter tasks such as installing holiday lights and preparing vehicles following snow fall. 

Winter is fast approaching and everyone, even those that live in apartments or condominiums, generally need to do at least some things related to fall clean. Most people probably don't realize that there are ergonomic risk factors associated with these chores that may lead to the onset of musculoskeletal injuries. In this podcast we will discuss the ergonomic risk factors related to fall yard/garden chores such as yard/waste cleanup, gardening tasks – harvesting and cleanup, cleaning gutters, yard and leisure equipment storage as well as furniture storage. 

Students and educators are going back to school and most people probably don't realize that there are ergonomic risk factors associated with the return to school that may lead to the onset of musculoskeletal injuries in both students and educators. In this podcast we will discuss the ergonomic risk factors associated with returning to school such as student's backpacks; classroom furniture; technology (computers, tablets, phones, etc.); as well as classroom organization. Prevention strategies to minimize injury and develop a more active, healthy classroom will also be discussed.   

We know that poor sleep can negatively affect many aspects of our lives and that poor sleep quality may lead to increased pain and risk of incurring musculoskeletal injuries. In this podcast, the second of two parts, you will learn how to decrease ergonomic risks for injury while you sleep; which postures are the best for avoiding injury; how to choose the correct bed, mattress, and pillows for you; and strategies to improve your overall quality of sleep. 

We all generally recognize the hazards of being in the sun during the summer months, but we often don't realize how the heat can affect the way we work and our workplace Ergonomics. Many people work in the heat, not only in the summer, but all year round. In this podcast we will discuss the hazards of working in the heat as well as the ergonomic risk factors and prevention strategies to minimize injury and heat related disorders.  

Perform lawn maintenance safely and avoid musculoskeletal disorders (MDs) due to incorrect ergonomics. Join OHCOW ergonomists in a discussion about ergonomic safety while performing lawn care. Learn about Ergonomic risk factors and injury prevention strategies when using lawn care equipment: push mowers, ride-on mowers, and grass trimmers.

Although everyone must sleep daily, most people do not realize how important sleep really is to our physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing.  In this podcast, the first of two parts, you will learn how important sleep is; how sleep deprivation negatively affects us; how poor sleep can lead to and exacerbate musculoskeletal injuries; and what ergonomic risk factors for injury are present while we sleep. View and Download an "Ergonomics and Sleep" pdf document here.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is an important health and safety concern for workplaces. In this Podcast, OHCOW Hygienists focus on the major challenges workers face with regards to IAQ in the workplace. Not only are challenges reviewed, but practical advice on how to address some of these issues, is also discussed 

This is a podcast shining the spotlight on the “Health” side of “Health and Safety” for workers and building the awareness of the many workplace variables which could be adversely affecting your health.  Knowing your work environment, your rights as a worker, as well as insight to help you identify health symptoms sooner, can all help prevent the onset of occupational illness. 

Join OHCOW Occupational Hygienists, James Miuccio and Sonia Lal for a candid discussion on Safety Data Sheets. They discuss the Safety Data Sheets, their formulation, and the end user experience. Sonia and James review controls or lack of and when there is insufficient information on the SDS. They share real-life examples from workplaces affected by chemical exposures and examine how SDSs helped or hindered the process for corrective action. 

A Podcast to help present employees gather information from their current workplace regarding their exposures and begin the process for looking at previous workplaces as well. It's never too late to start collecting this information in the event you need it in the future.  This podcast gives you a list  with some of the items you should be considering to start your workplace exposure portfolio.  Enjoy this informative yet upbeat session with OHCOW Toronto Clinic's Occupational Hygienist,  Sonia Lal.  Stay tuned for more podcasts in the near future.

In Conversation with James Miuccio and Sonia Lal, Occupational Hygienists at the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW): OHCOW hygienists discuss critical information on how to better protect yourself during COVID and the use of Nail or Hair Salon Services.  During the early months in COVID, a lot of folks were growing out their hair, hair colour and beards as salon services were closed and employers were struggling to get into compliance with all the requirements for safely working during this Pandemic.  James and Sonia bring you health and safety related information from the Centers for Disease Control with regards to how you can protect yourself when perusing the Salon Services and how employers and employees at these workplaces can work safely amongst each other and with their clientele.  Come listen in on this fun yet scientific conversation between James and Sonia.  More to come your way in the new year! Let us know what you want to hear about!

In this podcast Brenda Mallat and Melissa Statham, Canadian Certified Professional Ergonomists from the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) talk about the application of office ergonomics as it relates to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), and the approaches that workplaces should take in addressing office ergonomic concerns.