Sample Projects - Recent and Ongoing

City of Ottawa
IPP has been providing ergonomics services to the City of Ottawa from May of 1997 to present. Services range from:

• Individual office ergonomics assessments
• The design and delivery of customized Back Injury Education and Prevention programs for numerous high-risk occupational groups within the corporation.
• Several pro-active office ergonomics initiatives were implemented in many departments across the corporation.
• Other services include developing a data bank of Job Demands Analyses (JDAs) and working with facilities personnel to provide ergonomic input in re-design of public reception areas, libraries and community centers.

Ergonomics Consultant - Canadian Blood Services
IPP has acted as a consultant to the Canadian Blood Services since November 2000 to present. IPP continues to provide the Blood Services with:

• The development of an ergonomics policy
• A data bank of JDAs of high risk jobs
• Developing appropriate Return to Work Plans
• Train-the trainer programs in office ergonomics
• Other musculoskeletal injury prevention programs for high-risk worker groups
• The development of national ergonomics product standards.

* IPP's work with CBS was recognized recently at the Vision Awards where it was nominated for the William Mercer Award for excellence.

BASF Canada - Arnprior Site
IPP has been the coordinator of an industrial ergonomics program at BASF Canada since 1995. In this role, IPP has provided:

• Ergonomic analyses of the work in different areas of the plant
• Education of employees as to the risk and prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Assessments of employees with complaints of physical discomfort (work/non work related)
• Coordination of the modified return to work program
• Surveys of the employees have been used to tailor the prevention program.

IPP continues to be on site every week at this facility and has provided services in a consistently effective and timely manner.

* This program was presented to BASF (North America) at 'Health and Safety Best Practices Conference' (2000). It was also presented as "Ergonomics as Profit Centre" at IAPA, Eastern Ontario Conference (2002).

Public Works & Government Services Canada (PWGSC)
IPP has been involved in an extensive project with PWGSC to explore the incorporation of Ergonomics Elements into the Overall Project Delivery System. This project started in the fall of 2000 and incorporated a review of current literature and existing ergonomic standards, current ergonomic products, the current project delivery system and the role of ergonomics in this process. IPP consultants are up to date on current ergonomic trends, literature and standards.

HRDC - New Brunswick Region
IPP was awarded a publicly tendered contract with HRDC - N.B. Region to develop and implement an Ergonomics Program across the province of New Brunswick in February/March, 2000. This program involved a 3-tiered training program, which included:

1. Management training on office ergonomics and the economics of ergonomics
2. General office ergonomics program for all employees
3. Train the trainer program for Health and Safety personnel. The focus of this 2-day program was to provide more in depth knowledge of the causes of ergonomics problems and allow participants to use this knowledge to apply basic ergonomic solutions at workstations.
4. Overseeing ergonomics assessments (done as needed/on request) carried out by IPP's New Brunswick sub-contractors until March 2002.

International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
IPP has been working with IDRC (a Public Corporation) since September 1997 to design, develop and deliver an ergonomics awareness and training program and guide IDRC in selection of appropriate ergonomic furniture. This project was initiated by the Centre's Ergonomic Advisory Committee in response to an increasing number of employees reporting musculoskeletal problems and the need to supply ergonomically correct workspace.

• IPP prioritized the implementation of new furniture into phases based on results of a survey of symptoms and a comprehensive review of existing furniture (a broad mix of 1970's desks, chairs and some computer tables).
• IPP made recommendations and was closely involved in the decision-making process for new furniture purchases and ergonomic standards.
• The final stage of the process was to ensure the user had good knowledge for adjustment and use of the workstations and chairs through on site visits.
• Educational seminars on Office Ergonomics and Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) were provided in French and English.
• IPP has also provided electronic evaluation of workstation problems to IDRC's regional overseas offices through e-mail digital photography.
• IPP continues to act as a resource to IDRC on ergonomic issues on an ongoing basis.

Service New Brunswick
An office ergonomics "train-the trainer" program very similar to that delivered to HRDC-New Brunswick region, was also provided to Service New Brunswick in the winter of 2001. This contract was won as part of a public bid process and was positively received by this provincial government agency.

Pfizer Canada Inc.
IPP has recently developed and delivered an ergonomics training program for all the employees at this company which incorporates a 'Warm up for Work' exercise program. IPP has also completed Job Demands Analyses for the jobs in the plant. Pfizer has used IPP services to assist in Job matching.

Occupational Health and Safety Agency of Canada (Health Canada)
IPP provided ergonomic services to this agency from April 2000 to March 2002 in office and laboratory settings.

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