Supporting R&D to spur innovation and improve occupational health and safety
News release
Federal investment helps Laurentian University establish Canada’s first Workplace Environmental Simulator
April 5, 2017 – Sudbury, ON – Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario - FedNor
Laurentian University’s Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) will feature Canada’s first workplace simulator, thanks to a Government of Canada investment of $286,172. This investment will provide Northern Ontario researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals with access to cutting-edge equipment that will be used to develop and commercialize new products and technologies to improve working conditions and productivity.
Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, was joined today by Marc Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, to announce the FedNor funding on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for FedNor.
Designed to simulate real-life working conditions, the simulator will support scientific and technology research and development to help address critical health and safety issues within various industries. Specifically, the simulator will include a robotic platform and environmental chamber that together can be used to develop technologies to minimize vibration transmission and examine the systemic, health-related effects of exposure to vibration under conditions of high heat and humidity. The system will also feature an eye tracker that will provide an understanding of what workers pay attention to when utilizing new technologies.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is proud to invest in technology and innovation that will lead to improved workplace health and safety, and the commercialization of new products and business opportunities. Today’s announcement will provide researchers and industry professionals with invaluable tools to better understand environmental conditions of workers in resource-based industries, one of Northern Ontario’s lead economic sectors.”
Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury
“I’m thrilled that Laurentian University’s Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health will be home to Canada’s first workplace simulator. The social and economic impact of today’s investment will be far-reaching, as it will help businesses improve product effectiveness and more importantly, help ensure workers get home safely to their families each and every day.”
Marc Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt
“Laurentian University is pleased to partner with the Government of Canada, through FedNor, to advance research and development in Northern Ontario. This investment will allow us to form strategic alliances with entrepreneurs and industry professionals to help eliminate occupational injury and disease from workplaces here in Canada and around the world.”
Dr. Rui Wang, Vice President, Research, Laurentian University
Quick facts
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The funding announced today is provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation throughout the region.
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The Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) was established in 2008 by Laurentian University to provide a formalized structure for industry, safe workplace associations, labour groups, government organizations and researchers to solve relevant and critical problems facing northern industries so they can eliminate occupational injury and disease from their workplaces.
Associated links
Contacts
Carol Deguire
Communications Officer
FedNor
705-626-6119
carol.deguire@canada.ca