Overview
Key words: Refugee(s); musculoskeletal disorders; employment; risk perception
Timeline: March 2017 - present
Researchers: Sonja Senthanar (Principal Investigator, University of Waterloo), Phillip Bigelow (University of Waterloo) Amin Yazdani (University of Waterloo)
Funder: CRE-MSD
Project type: Seed Grant
Partners: Mennonite Coalition for Refugee Support; ShamRose Refugee Support Centre; The Working Centre; Reception House Waterloo
Sector/Workplace type: Local community
Theme:
Theme
3
-
Risk
assessment
and
hazard
identification
Background/rationale
This study will shed light on what arriving refugees believe to be risky versus less risky work-related activities. The findings will warrant changes in labour market policies (including adequate training and job access), educate incoming refugees on safe handling practices and services available to them, and reduce exposure to MSD hazards through targeted and customized interventions. We will be able to effectuate change by providing a safer work environment for future incoming refugees and hopefully serve as an example for other refugee-accepting countries.
Research question/objectives/methods
This study will address two main research questions: (1) How do refugee workers perceive MSD hazards in the workplace and (2) Does risk perception differ by a) demographic variables (gender, age, level of education), b) employer safety climate (previous safety training, level of supervisory support, co-worker support), and c) pre- and post-migration factors (previous occupation, current occupation, years of working experience). Our research team will work with community partners to recruit potential participants for the study. An online web-based survey will be adapted where participants will be asked to rate 44, ten second lifting/lowering videos and complete a perceived exertion survey. A modified version of the Perceived Exertion Survey will be used as it estimates the workers’ perception of jobs’ physical difficulty. Demographic variables, safety climate, and pre/post-migration factors will also be collected using the web-based survey prior to measuring MSD risk perception.
Key findings
In progress
Implications for the prevention of MSD
In progress
Knowledge dissemination
In progress
For more information please contact Phil Bigelow at pbigelow@uwaterloo.ca, or Amin Yazdani at ayazdani@uwaterloo.ca.