Game on for workplace health and safety

Occupational health and safety (OHS) is a crucial priority for any employer. Injuries take a toll on worker well-being. There can be enormous associated costs in terms of health care, compensation and a company’s productivity.

The Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada says there were nearly a quarter-million reported workplace injuries and illnesses across the country in 2012 – an average of 672 every day. Experts also believe some incidents go undocumented. The same year, there were 977 workplace-related fatalities in Canada.

“Every employer needs to pass safety certifications, but it can be a very boring and monotonous process,” says Dr. Karthik Sankaranarayanan, a researcher with the University of Ontario institute of Technology’s (UOIT) Faculty of Business and Information Technology (FBIT). “Some truly struggle to establish a comprehensive and effective occupational health and safety program. We believe technology can help change that.”

Through a partnership with the Public Services Health and Safety Association (PSHSA), FBIT researchers Dr. Sankaranarayanan, Dr. Pejman Mirza-Babaei and Master of Science (Computer Science) candidate Cameron Chodan are working on an innovative solution: turning safety training certifications into computer games. They are applying research data collected by other health and safety system organizations like Ontario’s Institute of Work and Health.

“There is a need to provide decision-makers with tools that will help them compare the OHS performance of similar organizations,” explains Dr. Sankaranarayanan, Assistant Professor, FBIT, whose research focuses on operations management and modelling complex dynamic systems. “The initial audience for this app will be decision makers of small- and medium-size organizations who sometimes struggle with questions like ‘where do I start?’”

PSHSA is funding Chodan to work full-time on game designs and prototypes.

“This project has opened my eyes to the vast realm of research,” says Chodan. “I have learned so much about how research, discussion and teamwork can turn a curiosity-driven idea into a product.”

Undergraduate research assistants will also be hired to help with programming. The overall value of the project is $115,000.

“The game provides a bird’s eye view of the progress organizations are making compared to their peers,” says Dr. Pejman Mirza-Babaei, Assistant Professor, Game Development, FBIT. “Our app and dashboard utilizes evidence-based indicators to help organizations improve their occupational health and safety performance and prevent injuries and illness. The game will also provide PSHSA with a greater understanding of their clients and help the Association provide tailor-made health and safety solutions.”

Quotes

“PSHSA is proud to provide research dollars not only to the university, but also to the graduate students who will be working on this project. PSHSA believes strongly in the potential of commercial outcomes between research and product development.”

-Glenn Cullen, PSHSA Vice-President, Corporate Programs and Product Development

“Approaching the market with innovative and interactive learning solutions that make health and safety easily accessible, understood and measurable is important to improving organizational OHS performance. We are excited to work with UOIT on this project. This collaboration is stretching the health and safety system to embrace new technologies and approaches to learning.”

-Kim Slade, PSHSA Director of Research and Product Development

“This important collaboration between the university and PSHSA has the potential to be a real game-changer for employers. The creation of this innovative app is a tremendous example of how the combination of industry partnerships and high-quality research can positively influence the advancement of public policy. Our faculty is excited to be working with PSHSA and we look forward to developing more exciting initiatives in the years ahead.”

-Steve Rose, Associate Dean, FBIT