Webinar - Ergonomics and Machine Safety/Robotics: Balancing Compliance with MSD Prevention

Wednesday, October 28, 2020 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

In this webinar

Everywhere we go, we are impacted one way or another by ergonomics. Fitting our environment to our needs is a challenge. There is no better example than right now as we struggle to find masks that fit our unique faces while offering maximum protection. Work is no different. We are impacted by ergonomics daily whether it has to do with the chair we sit in or the boxes we lift. Did you know Ergonomics extends to other safety programs such as the fit of hearing protection or may lead to guards on machines getting removed?

This session offers perspectives from ergonomics, machine safety, and robotics experts on balancing compliance with MSD prevention. Using examples such as load/unload stations, lock out placards, and machine guarding, hear from an ergonomist, machine guarding specialist and robotics expert discussing strategies to comply and balance competing priorities.

About the presenters

Don Patten

Don Patten is a Registered Kinesiologist (R.Kin.), Canadian Certified Professional Ergonomist (CCPE), and a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) with an expertise in applied ergonomics. For two decades, he has implemented and managed ergonomics, accessibility, and human performance programs for small and large global companies. As past president of the Association of Canadian Ergonomists, he is currently contributing to ISO technical committees in the creation of usability, ergonomics, and accessibility standards. A universal design advocate and thought leader, Mr. Patten is currently Specialized Services Lead (Ergonomics) at Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS).

Michael Wilson

With a background in mechanical engineering, Michael Wilson has held maintenance and project management roles in various manufacturing facilities where his responsibilities have included equipment installations, health & safety audits as well as conducting Pre- Start Health and Safety Reviews (PSHSRs). Currently serving as a Machine Safety Specialist at Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS), Michael expertise includes risk assessments, machine and robot safety, PSHSRs as well as hazardous energy control. He proudly supports CSA and ISO technical committees and has authored several articles in trade publications. Michael is a licensed professional engineer (Ontario), holds designations as a CMSE® (Certified Machine Safety Expert – TUV Nord), FS Eng (Functional Safety Engineer – TÜV Rheinland), CRSP and is an active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Rob Vomiero

Rob Vomiero is a Professional Mechanical Engineer, and also holds a Certified and Health and Consultant Designation (CHSC) from the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering.  Rob also holds a Certified Machine Safety Expert (CMSE) Designation from TÜV Nord.   Rob has worked in the manufacturing sector for nearly 30 years, initially as a mechanical designer and equipment project lead in both the plastics and automotive industries, most notably having spent a number of years at Honda of Canada Manufacturing in Alliston, Ontario.  Rob subsequently worked as machine safeguarding consultant and provider of Pre-Start Health and Safety Reviews for a number of prominent OEM and Tier 1 automotive companies, as well as other companies in various industries including Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Printing, Steel Manufacturing, and Plastics industries.  Rob is currently a Machine and Robot Safety Technical Specialist and one of the practice leads with the Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS).  Rob also sits on the CSA Z434 Industrial Robot standards committee, and is also a member of the Canadian delegation of ISO 10218 International Robot Standards Committee.

Webinar resources

Webinar recording (Webex)
Password: Guideline2020

Webinar slide presentation (PDF)

For assistance, please contact Betina Butler at bbutler@uwaterloo.ca.


Disclaimer: CRE-MSD receives funding through a grant provided by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. The views expressed are those of the presenters and do not necessarily reflect those of the Centre nor of the Province of Ontario.