Despite overwhelming and constant evidence of the extent to which work affects our health, few government resources are actually dedicated to identifying and preventing ill health as a result of work. Indeed, compared to almost every other kind of social initiative in Canada, there is very limited support for research, policy, regulation and action in this area at the municipal, provincial, or federal level.
The absence of public strategy has created a vacuum in this area of prevention. Independent non-profit labour /community based occupational health clinics in Ontario play an important role in identifying areas where those lack of resources are most problematic, whether in uncovering the impacts of past unregulated industrial exposures in occupational diseases of individuals or in exposing the impacts of current work reorganization on vulnerable populations.
Using the experiences of an occupational health clinic based in Canada's largest and most diverse urban area, Toronto, this presentation will discuss how collaborative and strategic work linking the research and technical skills of physicians, hygienists and ergonomists with the experiences and organizing capacity of workers, unions and community groups can bring to light heretofore hidden experiences of ill health within a strategy of prevention and reform.
Learning Objectives: Participants will understand how the links between occupational health professionals and workers and their unions can forge a valuable collaboration to create needed reform in promoting occupational health and safety
Keywords: Occupational Health Care, Advocacy
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.