Professor Thomas Tenkate appointed to WSIB Scientific Advisory Table on Occupational Disease

Professor Thomas Tenkate, of the School of Occupational and Public Health, has been appointed to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Scientific Advisory Table on Occupational Disease (external link) .

The newly formed Table will influence policy development and decision-making related to the compensation of workers in Ontario who experience occupational disease.  

Tenkate brings to the group an expertise in risk assessment and risk management of environmental and occupational exposures, including human exposure and health risks from ultraviolet radiation and workplace chemicals.

“I look forward to contributing my experience from a range of workplace settings to help address key occupational disease issues in the province,” said Tenkate. “This new advisory table will provide important input into improving the occupational disease claims process so that the best available scientific evidence can be considered.”

The Table will make recommendations to help the WSIB decide on:

• The scope of scientific reviews in order to answer specific questions at hand
• The experts that could be consulted
• Identifying potential peer-reviewers and the clarification of a reviewer's comments
• Assessment and potential options in the case of contradictory opinions
• General ad hoc occupational disease issues

Members

• Anil Adisesh, occupational medicine physician, chief medical officer, Canadian Health Solutions
• Victoria Arrandale, assistant professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
• Donald C. Cole, emeritus professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
• Marianne Levitsky, adjunct lecturer, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
• Thomas Tenkate, associate professor, School of Occupational and Public Health, Ryerson University

Appointed Members

• Paul A. Demers, director, Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Ontario Health
• Vincent Spilchuk, residency program director, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
• Tiffany K. Turnbull, assistant director, Operational Policy Branch, WSIB

Related:

• WSIB Scientific Advisory Table on Occupational Disease (external link) 

• WSIB Ontario names members of Scientific Advisory Table on Occupational Disease (external link)