2023 Research Projects and Reports
WorkplaceNL approved research funding for the following research projects; findings from the research will be posted when available:
- Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation – Evaluate the use of personal flotation devices (PFDs) and personal locator beacons (PLBs) with Newfoundland and Labrador fish harvesters. This research, in part, supports a project organized by industry partners who are providing PLBs to fish harvesters throughout the province at a reduced cost by subsidizing the purchase price. Research funding will support assessing the rate of PFD and PLB use, as well as factors that may influence their use. Funding will also support determining the short- and long-term response and effectiveness of the ongoing PLB distribution project.
- Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador – The effect of objectively measured sitting time during work and leisure on back function and perceived low back pain: a pilot study. Research funding will support a 17-month pilot study to evaluate sitting exposure through a typical workday and associated perceived back pain and laboratory-measured back function. The study aims to determine the feasibility of objectively measuring sitting exposures and spine posture for extended durations for people who primarily sit and perform deskwork for their occupation. Data from this pilot study will further be used to determine if activity and posture exposures effect back function and perceived back pain.
- Dalhousie University – Sweating the small stuff: the biomonitoring and elimination of fireground carcinogens in the sweat of firefighters. Research funding will support a three-phase, year-long study to investigate whether sauna use can be a safe and effective method for firefighters to reduce the levels of carcinogens in their bodies from fire exposure, via sweat excretion. The first phase will determine whether sweat samples obtained following sauna use shows biomarker differences between sample population groups. The second phase consists of designing a detoxification unit prototype and conducting focus groups at fire stations in Newfoundland and Labrador. The final phase involves assembling a research team to design a longitudinal study to test the detoxification unit.
- Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador – Barriers to participation in COR® program. SafetyNet Centre for OHS Research, in collaboration with the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association (NLCSA) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency is conducting a 15-month research project to identify facilitators and barriers to participation in the NLCSA’s COR® Program, an audit-based OHS certificate program for construction companies in the province. The study will consist of online surveys and qualitative interviews to determine stakeholder perspective. Findings will be used to identify opportunities and recommendations to increase COR® participation.