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Shellfish Processing Industry in Eastern Canada

Shellfish species Processed in Eastern Canada

DEFINITIONS

Note: T erms have been taken from the following sources:
1. Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW). Ergonomics in the Work Environment: A Manual for Workers. Retrieved July 2006 from http://www.caw.ca/whatwedo/health&safety/pdf/ErgonomicsintheWorkEnvironment.pdf
2. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. (2006). OSH Answers. Retrieved July 2006 from http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers.html 
3. Department of Environment and Labor, Government of Nova Scotia (2006). Health and Safety: Ergonomics Glossary. Retrieved July 2006 from
http://www.gov.ns.ca/enla/healthandsafety/ergonomics/glossary.asp
4. Industrial Accident Prevention Association. (2006). Glossary of Occupational Health & Safety Terms. Retrieved July 2006 from http://www.iapa.ca/pdf/iapa_glossary.pdf
5. Medicine Net. (2006). MedTerms Medical Dictionary. Retrieved September 2006 from http://www.medterms.com/script/main/hp.asp
6. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. (2006). Wikipedia. Retrieved September 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Allergen - Substances that your body may have an allergic reaction to, such as pollens, dust particles, mold, food, insect venom, and medications.

Allergy - An allergy is an “overreaction” or “hypersensitivity” by your body’s immune system to substances which you are sensitized to.  These substances are called allergens and may include pollens, dust particles, mold, food, latex rubber, insect venom, or certain medications. 

Anthropometry - The scientific measurement of human body dimensions.

Antibodies - These are produced when the human body contacts an alien substance. Antibodies react with substances to destroy them. Antibodies are often very selective, acting only on one particular substance. But antibodies can also respond in a wrong way and cause allergic disorders such as asthma.

Anti-Fatigue Mats - Mats placed on the floor where workers stand to work. They are designed to reduce musculoskeletal fatigue associated with static standing. Cushioned insoles for shoes can be viewed as 'portable anti-fatigue mats', to some degree.

Asthma - A condition that results in breathing difficulties. These breathing difficulties
occur when the breathing tubes tighten up and become inflamed or swollen.

Awkward Posture - Posture is the position of the body while performing work activities. Awkward posture is associated with an increased risk for injury. It is generally considered that the more a joint deviates from the neutral (natural) position, the greater the risk of injury. Specific postures have been associated with injury.

Best Practice - performance standards developed by employers, workers and OH&S rofessionals which exceed basic OH&S legislative requirements and which strive toward doing work in the safest possible way.

Biomechanics - The study of the effects of internal and external forces on the human body in movement and at rest.

Bursitis - Bursae are lubricating pads separating tendons from bones in some joints of the body. Bursitis is the result of the inflammation of a bursae. The inflammation may be caused by repetitive or forceful exertions at that joint.

Carpal Tunnel – Tunnel formed by the carpal ligament and the bones of the wrist.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - A specific musculoskeletal injury (soft-tissue injury) resulting from compression on the median nerve, which travels through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Symptoms can include tingling and numbness in the hand, and loss of dexterity and strength in the hand.

Community Based Approach (CBA) - A type of research that incorporates ideas and suggestions from all stakeholders in a community such as town council, workers, and health care professionals. This type of research requires the participation of many community members.

Conjunctivitis - Commonly known as 'pinkeye', conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and lines the inner surface of the eyelids. It is a fairly common condition and usually causes no danger to the eye or your vision. The inflammation can have many causes, the most common of which are infectious, allergic, and irritant.

Contact Stress - Exposure of a body part to a hard or sharp surface/edge at a workstation or by using a tool, e.g. leaning forearms against a sharp table edge. Contact stress has been associated with the development of some musculoskeletal injuries.

Contaminant - An unwanted material (for example, radioactive, biological or
chemical) that is likely to harm the quality of the working environment. The most
common workplace contaminants are chemicals that may be present in the form of
dusts, fumes, gases or vapours.

Crab Asthma - See Occupational Asthma to Snow Crab.

Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) - See Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).

De Quervain's Disease - A common type of stenosing tenosynovitis (combination of tenosynovitis and tendonitis).

Dermatitis - Occupational contact dermatitis is a local inflammation of the skin. Symptoms of inflammation are itching, pain, redness, swelling, and the formation of small blisters or wheals (itchy, red circles with a white centre) on the skin. The inflammation is caused by an allergy or irritation as a result of substances found in the workplace that come into direct contact with the skin.

Deviation - Movement of a body part away from the neutral position for that joint/limb. Typically used to describe wrist positions. For example, ulnar deviation of the wrist describes the movement of the wrist away from a straight position towards the baby finger. Deviation of a limb towards the end of a joint's range of motion is considered a risk factor for musculoskeletal injury.

Duration – Duration is the length of exposure to a risk factor. It can be measured as the minutes or hours per day the worker is exposed to a risk. Duration can also be viewed as the years of exposure to a risk factor. In general, the greater the duration of exposure to a risk factor, the greater the degree of risk. However, specific duration guidelines have not been established for risk factors such as force, posture and repetition.

Engineering Control – Physical changes to jobs that control exposure to risk. Engineering controls act on the source of the hazard and control worker exposure to the hazard without relying on the worker to take self-protective action or intervention. Examples include: changing the handle angle of a tool, using a lighter weight part, and providing a chair that has adjustability.

Envenomation - The process of venom being injected into a human or animal by a venomous animal, such as a bee sting.

Endotoxins - Endotoxins are part of the outer membrane of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria which live on crab.  They can produce symptoms (e.g. cough, flu-like symptoms, fever, chills). 

Epicondylitis – Technical term for “tennis elbow”.

Ergonomics - A discipline dealing with the interaction between the worker and the work environment. Fitting the work to the worker, rather than the other way around. Also called human factors.

Ergonomic Hazards (Risk Factors) – Conditions of a job, process, or operation that contribute to the risk of developing back injuries and Repetitive Strain Injuries.

Ergonomic Program – A systematic process for anticipating, identifying, analyzing and controlling ergonomic risk factors.

Fatigue - A reduction in the ability to exert force in response to voluntary effort.Tiredness.

Force - The amount of muscular effort required to perform a task.Generally, the greater the force, the greater the degree of risk. High force has been associated with work-related Repetitive Strain Injuries (Musculoskeletal Disorders) at the shoulder/neck, the low back and he forearm/wrist/hand.

Human Factors - A term synonymous with 'ergonomics', is the branch of this science that began in the US and focuses on cognitive performance of humans.

Hypersensitive – The condition of being reactive to substances that normally
would not affect most people.

Incident - an undesired event that under slightly different conditions could or does result in an injury or loss; sometimes called a near miss.

Industrial Hygiene – A science that deals with the anticipation, recognition,
evaluation, and control of hazards in the workplace. These hazards may cause
sickness, harm to employee health, discomfort, and inefficient performance on the
job. Also known as occupational hygiene.

Irritant – A substance which, in sufficient quantities, can inflame or irritate the eyes, skin or respiratory system (lungs, etc.). Symptoms include pain and reddening.

Job Rotation – Moving an employee to one or more related jobs during a work shift.

Kinesiology - The study of human movements as a function of the construction of the muscloskeletal system.

L5/S1 - The joint between the 5th lumbar (L5) and 1st sacral (S1) vertebrae of the spinal column. Many low-back disc injuries occur at this joint.

Ligaments - Fibrous structures that connect bones to bones within the body, providing support while allowing flexibility and movement.

Local Exhaust - The contaminant is captured at its source, usually by the use of
hoods, ducts or vents located near or directly over the source. This is the preferred method where toxic contaminants are released and there is the potential for worker exposure.

Local Muscle Fatigue - A reduction in the ability to exert force in a particular muscle group in response to voluntary effort.

Manual Materials Handling (MMH) - Refers to any handling task involving the human body as the "power source". MMH includes lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, and holding.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) – A form that contains detailed information about the possible health and safety hazards of a product and how to safely store, and handle the product. Under the federal Hazardous Products Act, suppliers are required to provide MSDSs for all hazardous materials, as a condition of sale.

Mechanical Stress - Pressure to the skin and soft tissues from direct contact with parts, tools, fixtures, etc.

Median Nerve - The nerve that travels through the carpal tunnel of the wrist and services the thumb and first three fingers of the hand. Compression of the median nerve results in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Mucous - a thick fluid produced by the lining of some tissues of the body.

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) - Injuries and disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage and spinal discs; examples include carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff tendinitis, and tension neck syndrome. Also referred to as: cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), repetitive strain injuries (RSI), work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), or soft-tissue injuries (STIs).

Musculoskeletal Injuries (MSI) - See Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD).

Neutral Position - The natural position in which the body or part of the body feels most comfortable.

Occupational Asthma and Allergy (OAA) - Asthma or allergies experienced by some shellfish processing workers that is caused by their work.

Occupational Biomechanics - Occupational biomechanics is the science concerned with the mechanical behavior of musculoskeletal tissues when physical work is performed.

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) – The development, promotion, and maintenance of workplace policies and programs that ensure the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of employees and maintain a work environment that is relatively free from actual or potential hazards that can injure employees.

Occupational Health and Safety Act - is the law that regulates OH&S in workplaces throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. It imposes minimum conditions on all workplaces to ensure workers are provided with a safe and healthy working environment.

Occupational Health and Safety Committee - an advisory group made up of employer and worker representatives whose primary role is to monitor the health, safety and welfare of workers at the workplace.

Occupational Health and Safety Policy – A policy is a statement of intent, and a commitment to plan for coordinated management action. A policy should provide a clear indication of a company’s health and safety objectives. This, in turn, will provide direction for the health and safety program.

Occupational Health and Safety Representative - A worker not connected with management chosen by co-workers to monitor the health, safety and welfare of workers employed in workplaces with more than one but less than 10 workers.

Occupational Illness (Disease) - Any abnormal condition or disorder (other than those caused by occupational injury) caused by exposure to factors associated with employment. It includes acute and chronic illness or disease which may be caused by inhalation, absorption, ingestion or direct contact.The broad categories of occupational illnesses are skin diseases and disorders, dust diseases of the lungs, respiratory conditions due to toxic agents, poisoning (systemic effects of toxic materials), disorders due to physical agents other than toxic materials, and disorders from repeated trauma.

Occupational Injury - Any injury such as a cut, fracture, sprain, amputation, etc., which results from ongoing work-related events or from a single instantaneous exposure in the work environment. Examples of Repetitive Strain Injuries or disorders that can be work related include:

Optimal Work Zone - Area in front of the body defined by the keeping the back straight, the shoulders neutral, and the hands between hand rest and elbow height.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Any device worn by a worker to
protect against hazards. Some examples are: respirators, gloves, ear plugs, hard
hats, safety goggles and safety shoes.

Physiology - How the body works.Science that measures people's capacity to do work and their bodies' reactions to doing work.

Practicable - Capable of being done.

Psychophysics - Research method that uses self-reported limits to determine maximum allowable loads or forces.

Psychosocial Conditions - Social influences that affect psychological aspects of human behavior.

Raynaud's Phenomenon - Raynaud's phenomenon, sometimes called Raynaud's syndrome or disease, is a disorder of blood circulation in the fingers. This condition is aggravated with cold exposure. Exposure to cold abnormally reduces blood circulation causing the fingers to become pale, waxy-white or purple. The disorder is sometimes called "white finger", "wax finger" or "dead finger." Raynaud's phenomenon has many different causes including workplace exposures. It is most commonly associated with hand-arm vibration syndrome but it is also involved in other occupational diseases.

Recovery Time – Recovery time is the length of rest between exertions. Short pauses in the work cycle can reduce discomfort. Inadequate rest periods between exertions can decrease performance. As the duration of the uninterrupted work increases, so does the amount of recovery time needed.

Repetition – Repetition is the number of similar exertions performed during a task. A warehouse worker may lift three boxes per minute from the floor to a countertop; an assembly worker may make 70 units per hour.Repetitive motion has been associated with injury and worker discomfort. Generally, the greater the number of repetitions, the greater the degree of risk. However, there is no specific repetition limit or threshold value (cycles/unit of time, movements/unit of time) associated with injury.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) - Term used for injuries that occur over a period of time because of repeated trauma or exposure to a specific body part, such as the back,hand, wrist and forearm. Muscles and joints are stressed, tendons are inflamed,nerves pinched or the flow of blood is restricted.Common occupational induced disorders in this class include carpal tunnel syndrome, epicondylitis (tennis elbow), tendinitis, tenosynovitis,synovitis,stenosing tenosynovitis of the finger, DeQuervian's Syndrome, hand-arm vibration syndrome (vibration white finger disease), and low back pain.

Risk Factor - Job and/or workplace requirements or conditions that pose stress on the body, resulting in the development of musculoskeletal injuries. Examples include forceful exertion,awkward postures, repetitive exertion, and environmental factors such as temperature.

Sensitization - an allergic reaction that develops after variable periods of workplace exposure to a foreign antigen such as certain dusts, fumes or vapours.

Sit/Stand - A workstation that enables the worker to alternate between standing and sitting while performing his/her tasks. A sit/stand set-up is recommended over dedicated sitting or standing workstation set-ups.

Socio-economic - the study of the relationship between economic activity and social life.

Soft Tissue Injuries (STI) - See Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD).

Sprain - A joint injury in which the supporting ligaments are partially or sometimes fully torn.

Static Load - Stress placed on the body due to body parts remaining immobile for extended periods of time. Localized muscle fatigue can result.

Strain - An injury in which muscle fibers are torn, often due to working against a heavy load.

Tendon – Connective tissue that transmits the force from muscles to the bone.

Tendonitis - Swelling in the tendons, resulting in pain; Tendons connect muscles to bones, and 'itis' means inflammation. Tendonitis is the generic term for inflammation of a tendon. The specific type of tendonitis is named after the affected body part - examples include: lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is inflammation of the forearm extensor muscles' tendon where it attaches to the elbow.

Tennis Elbow - Tennis elbow is a painful elbow disorder. This term is misleading because most people who have it did not get it from playing tennis. The technical name for tennis elbow is "lateral epicondylitis". This term indicates an inflammation occurring near a small point or projection of the upper arm bone (humerus) just above the elbow joint on the outer side of the arm. However, pain can also occur in other areas of the forearm and elbow.

Tenosynovitis - Swelling in the tendon and tendon sheath, resulting in pain; Swelling and inflammation of the sheath that surrounds certain tendons. The sheath protects, guides, and lubricates the tendon in places where there is a great deal of movement or potential friction.

Trigger Finger - The partial or complete entrapment of a tendon within its sheath. Often the index, or trigger, finger is affected due to squeezing a tool that causes pressure on the palm of the hand while there is stretching and pulling upon the tendon. The tendon and its sheath become inflamed. When repeated over time, changes to the tendon and sheath make it difficult for the tendon to move smoothly along its course. A popping or crackling sound can often be heard when the finger is re-extended.

Upper Extremities - The arms and hands and associated joints.

Ventilation – The supplying and exhausting of air at the same time to an enclosed machine, room, or an entire building.

Vertebral Disc - Discs separate the bones (vertebrae) that make up the spinal column. They are fibrous structures filled with a pulpy, gelatinous matter. They function as shock absorbers for the spine. Disc-related injuries to the back can be associated with deformation of the discs, including bulging and rupturing of the discs.

Vibration (Hand-Arm Vibration) - Vibration applied to the hand/arms through a tool or piece of equipment.This can cause a reduction in blood flow to the hands and fingers (Raynaud's disease or vibration white finger). Also, it can interfere with sensory receptor feedback leading to increased handgrip force to hold the tool. Further, a strong association has been reported between carpal tunnel syndrome and segmental vibration.

Vibration White Finger - A condition where the small blood vessels in the hand constrict, resulting in decreased blood flow and subsequent blanching of the hands. The small nerves of the hand may also be damaged. This disease is associated with the long-term use of vibrating tools (or, in general, exposure to vibration).

Whole Body Fatigue - An overall reduction in the ability to exert force in response to voluntary effort.

Whole Body Vibration - Exposure of the whole body to vibration (usually through the feet or buttocks when riding in a vehicle). Whole body vibration may increase the risk for injury, including low back pain and internal organ disruption.

Workplace - a place where a worker or self-employed person is engaged in an occupation and includes a vehicle or mobile equipment used by a worker in an occupation. Aworkplace is often called a worksite, a site, a corporate office, a regional office, a satellite office, etc.

Workplace Design – The planning of workplace environments, structures and equipment so that the potential for injury and illness is reduced or eliminated.

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) – An information system implemented under the federal Hazardous Products Act and provincial occupational health and safety laws to ensure communication of information on hazardous materials. The information delivery system under WHMIS requires 1) labels, 2) material safety data sheets (MSDSs), and 3) worker education and training programs.

Workplace Inspection – A regular and careful check of a workplace or part of a workplace in order to identify health and safety hazards and to recommend corrective action. Workplace factors that have the potential to cause injury or illness to employees include: equipment, materials, processes or work activities, and the environment.

Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD, WRMSD) - Injuries and disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage and spinal discs due to physical work activities or workplace conditions in the job. Examples include: carpal tunnel syndrome related to long term computer data entry, rotator cuff tendinitis from repeat overhead reaching, and tension neck syndrome associated with long term cervical spine flexion.

Workstation - The entire work area accessed by a worker when performing a specific task or job cycle.

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