Salary Grade: 214 From: $104,118.25
Job Summary :
Scientifically reconstruct workplace conditions and employment histories as they related to the adjudication of occupational disease claims, early and safe return to work, and the prevention of occupational diseases. Conduct evaluations of current and historical worker exposure to hazardous agents; compile exposure profiles for Ontario workplaces, and prepare concise evidence-based exposure histories; and provide expert and scientific opinion regarding these exposures.
Major Duties & Responsibilities
1. Manage a caseload of claims and provide workplace assessments of chemical, physical and biological exposure agents by performing current and historical exposure assessment for individual claims, or for a group of claims which includes:
- Collecting, cataloguing and preparing comprehensive historical process and exposure profiles for individual and cluster claims;
- Conducting gap analyses, researching and reviewing historical processes and exposure data as well as applying professional judgment to estimate missing exposure information;
- Assessing occupational exposures in the absence of adequate exposure data and utilizing retrospective exposure assessment methods and techniques to estimate past exposures;
- Conducting walk-through assessments of employer operations and, in consultation with business team, determining the need for exposure survey or ongoing monitoring;
- Interviewing workplace parties (e.g. worker, co-workers, employer, union representatives) and others to gather information pertinent to worker exposure;
- Accessing diverse sources to gather other pertinent information and data on the worker's work environment, such as scientific literature, grey literature safety data sheets (SDS), employer exposure data, Ministry of Labour, Immigration Training and Skills Development's survey results and other external occupational health and safety databases;
- Analyzing, synthesizing, and modelling information and data and writing concise evidence-based exposure history reports outlining potential for and prevention of exposures;
- Conducting exposure assessments of employers and preparing profiles on the workplace environment, industrial processes and the potential for exposures;
- Performing reviews of the claims and assisting in the interpretation of the exposure information.
2. Develop new methodologies and techniques for the completion of retrospective exposure assessments and validate through peer reviewed publications and presentations.
3. As an integral part of the business team, provide expert opinion and scientific advice and guidance to team members, such as Return to Work Specialists, Case Managers, policy scientists and other parties on matters relating to occupational hygiene issues including advice and recommendations on occupational risks, and prevention. This involves:
- Providing expert opinion and detailed information on the extent and likelihood of worker exposure to facilitate timely decision-making;
- dentifying, collecting and assessing complex technical information to provide expert guidance to internal and external stakeholders;
- Developing documents on current occupational hygiene exposure issues to aid in the application of WSIB policy and guidelines as it relates to exposure.
4. Contribute to facilitating a worker's early and safe return to work by providing expert opinion on employer's return to work plan by evaluating potential occupational exposures and workplace factors associated with proposed job duties based on worker restrictions; lead all aspects of the evaluation of the worker's exposures, and in formulating/reviewing of an exposure control plan or suitable job modification.
5. Design, create, deliver and update databases of industry exposure profiles to identify emerging trends in occupational exposures and opportunities for preventing occupational diseases and timely adjudication.
6. Develop and deliver training modules to OD service delivery teams and other internal stakeholders to promote an understanding of potential sources of occupational exposures.
7. Keep informed of workplace exposure trends and relevant research in occupational hygiene,. Maintain awareness of present and future needs, trends, problems and opportunities for improvement relating to the services provided.
8. Participate in professional meetings and educational seminars. Present the occupational hygiene assessments to the broader health and safety community.
9. Develop and maintain relationships with broader occupational health and safety community and other stakeholders as appropriate in order to exchange information about occupational hygiene issues.
10. Perform other related duties as assigned or required.
Job Requirements
Education
- University completion at the post graduate level with a Masters in Occupational Hygiene, Engineering or Occupational Health, and professional designation in the field of occupational hygiene as a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) by the American Board of Industrial Hygienists or a Registered Occupational Hygienist (ROH) by the Canadian Registration Board of Occupational Hygienists. Valid Ontario G class driver's license.
Experience
- Five years prior experience in occupational hygiene in a variety of occupational environments.
