Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To anticipate, recognize, evaluate and recommend control measures for ergonomics hazards in a variety of establishments. To provide professional ergonomic advice and consultation to officials in industry, government and other agencies regarding a variety of ergonomic hazards. To ensure compliance and enforcement of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and all related regulations..

Duties / Responsibilities :

Located within the Ministry's Area office and under the general direction of the Manager, Professional and Specialised Services, conducts visits, research studies and investigations into potential sources of Occupational Ergonomics hazards in industry by performing such tasks as:
• Receiving requests for audit visits from a variety of sources, such as the Branches in Occupational Health and Safety, Division Inspectors (possibly in cases of work refusals), officials in industry, Division Nurses and Hygienists, or in response to statistics provided by WSIB or the Division indicating employers with high levels of injury;
• Visiting all types of industrial, construction and mining work sites, including schools, hospitals and offices, to conduct investigations, by meeting or talking with union/management officials, employees, industrial nurses, reviewing records, touring the work sites, etc,;
• Collecting scientific data of an ergonomic nature on force requirements, lighting conditions, task frequency, equipment configuration and design, vibration, heat, cold, employee reach and strength requirements, etc. by utilizing a variety of techniques; postural analysis, measurements, personal observation, recording the work flow and describing the work station, etc.;
• Analyzing the data on how the job is performed based on the measurements taken, types of injuries incurred and referring to medical/scientific literature, charts and tables in order to provide an interpretation of the findings;
• Preparing a report for the client and OH&S inspection branches, determining the extent of hazards, providing advice and making recommendations as to control measures to reduce the risk of injury or eliminate occupational ergonomic hazards, supported by scientific research;
• Identifying acceptable levels of exposure/physical demands, providing reference materials, if required, and/or identifying contravention of all pertinent legislation and issuing orders imposing a time-based compliance or stop work order;
• Investigating accidents and fatalities after being contacted by the Occupational Health and Safety Branches, in cases involving, for example, equipment design faults, in order to provide expert analysis and advice;
• Consulting with the Provincial Ergonomist where recommendations, or a particular work site are contentious;
• Preparing technical reports for use as reference materials for industry, other Ergonomists, or Division library on conditions found in work sites, based on audit visits and research;
• Providing testimony at legal proceedings, acting as an expert witness where the Ministry has prosecuted a particular employer, on conditions in the work site audit report and recommendations made.

Provides advice and consultation on a variety of ergonomic hazards to professional groups, Health and Safety Committees, senior industry officials, colleagues, associates by performing such duties as:
• Explaining requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, outlining guidelines, accepted practices and legislated standards, recommending measures to ensure maximum worker protection;
• Conducting ergonomic evaluations of hazardous working conditions, recommending corrective action such as changes to work tasks, equipment, work stations and work practices, etc.;
• Making presentations to public and professional audiences;
• Recommending additions, revisions and changes to Occupational Health and Safety Legislation in conjunction with the Provincial Ergonomist, based upon research findings, to maintain a high level of health and safety margin in industrial processes;
• Contributing to the development and preparation of Occupational Health and Safety standards as a Ministry representative on standards committees in conjunction with other divisions, branches, safety-associated professionals, etc .

Performs other related duties such as:
• Reviewing current ergonomic literature to keep abreast of current developments in the field of Ergonomics;
• Attending courses, seminars and conferences on related matters;
• Training students as required;
• As assigned.

Staffing and Licencing :

N/A

Knowledge :

Work requires advanced knowledge, understanding and training in the subspecialties of ergonomics such as kinesiology, human kinetics, psychology, physiology, biomechanics and/or equivalent experience in Occupational Ergonomics. Detailed knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulations, MOL policies, standards and practices; ability to identify and evaluate occupational health and safety hazards. The position requires knowledge of the activities of client groups in order to understand their concerns on ergonomics issues, and must have some sensitivity to labour/management relations in the work site, of any given audit.

Skills :

Must have keen powers of observation, and analytical abilities, combined with investigative techniques to conduct field audits in a wide variety of work sites some of which may be hostile or hazardous. Ability to work under minimal supervision and make recommendations in situations where a great deal of ambiguity exists. Good research skills and ability to prepare technical ergonomic reports. Good verbal communication and interpersonal skills and ability to act as an expert witness.

Freedom of Action :

N/A