Currently accepting applications until December 4, 2024, at 11:59pm. See Expression of interest and Call for applications below.
The WSIB is committed to a transparent occupational disease policy process informed by high-quality scientific evidence. We continually monitor the evolving state of scientific evidence to better understand causal relationships between occupational risk factors and disease outcomes.
Drawing on recommendations from the Demers report - Using scientific evidence and principles to help determine the work-relatedness of cancer - released in July 2020 and the KPMG, "Value for Money Audit Report: Occupational Disease and Survivor Benefit Program", released in 2019, the WSIB has developed an Occupational Disease Strategy to help us achieve a more responsive and sustainable approach to occupational disease policy and decision-making.
One of the main areas of focus of the strategy, recommended by both reports, was to establish a Scientific Advisory Table on Occupational Disease (the “Table”) to support occupational disease policy development.
Together with other foundational activities in the strategy, including the development of an Occupational Disease Policy Framework and leveraging our Research and Grants Program to ensure the collection of up-to-date scientific evidence to support evidence-based decision-making, the Table plays an important role in supporting the occupational disease policy development process.
For more information on our occupational disease policy initiatives in progress, including information about the Table, please visit our Occupational Disease Policy webpage.
The Table is comprised of five experts drawn from scientific disciplines relevant to occupational disease as well as one member appointed from Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario), one from Public Health Ontario (PHO) to provide a system wide perspective on occupational disease and one non-voting WSIB member.
Establishing the Table is one way we can ensure we are relying on the best scientific evidence available when we look at occupational disease claims.
The Table makes recommendations to help us decide on:
- the scope of scientific reviews in order to answer specific questions at hand;
- the experts that could be consulted;
- possible peer-reviewers and the clarification of the reviewer's comments;
- assessment and potential options in the case of contradictory opinions; and
- general ad hoc occupational disease issues
Read the Scientific Advisory Table on Occupational Disease Terms of Reference.
Scientific Advisory Table on Occupational Disease Members
The WSIB is saddened about the passing of Dr. Thomas Tenkate on July 27, 2024. We are grateful for Dr. Tenkate’s meaningful contributions to our Advisory table’s scientific pursuits.
Anil Adisesh, MB ChB, MSc, MD, FRCP, FFOM, FFCI
Occupational Medicine Physician, Chief Medical Officer at Canadian Health Solutions, Saint John, NB Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Business, University of New Brunswick, Saint John
Victoria Arrandale, PhD, ROH
Assistant Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Donald C. Cole, MD, MSc, FRCP(C)
Emeritus Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto Occupational, Environmental and Public Health Medicine Consultant
Marianne Levitsky, MES, CIH, ROH, FAIHA
Adjunct Lecturer, Occupational and Environmental Health Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Senior Associate, ECOH Management Inc. Founding President and Board member, Workplace Health Without Borders
Seat vacant – Previously held by the late Thomas Tenkate, DrPH, FEHA, FRSPH, CRM, CRSP, CSP
Associate Professor, School of Occupational and Public Health, Toronto Metropolitan University
Affiliated Scientist, Occupational Cancer Research Centre
Appointed members
Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario)
Paul A. Demers, MSc, PhD
Director, Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Ontario Health
Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
Clinical Professor, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia
Public Health Ontario
Vincent Spilchuk, MD, FRCPC, MScCH
Residency Program Director, Division of Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto Assistant Professor, Division of Occupational Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
Occupational Medicine Consultant, Environmental and Occupational Health, Public Health Ontario Occupational Medicine Consultant, Employee Health, Wellness, and Safety, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga
WSIB
Tiffany K. Turnbull, LL.B.
Vice President, Operational Policy Branch, WSIB Steering Committee Member, Occupational Cancer Research Centre
Expression of Interest and Call for Applications
1)The Scientific Advisory Table on Occupational Disease
The Table provides expert scientific advice to the WSIB to support policy development and scheduling. The Table’s membership represents the scientific disciplines most relevant to occupational disease to ensure that their qualifications and extensive experience optimize the quality of advice provided. To date, the Table members have been instrumental in providing scientific advice that led to the further identification and recognition of occupational diseases in regulation and policy, as well as updated policy guidance. This approach supports informed, timely and consistent decision making.
By providing scientific advice, the Table supports the WSIB in fulfilling its legislative obligations to workers, and to survivors of deceased workers, who experience an occupational disease due to the nature of their employment.
2) Purpose of the Expression of interest
The purpose of this Expression of Interest (EOI) is to invite and subsequently identify a suitably qualified individual in a scientific discipline relevant to occupational disease (e.g., Occupational Epidemiology, Toxicology, Occupational Hygiene, and Occupational Medicine) to serve as an independent member of the Table.
3) Mandate
The Table’s mandate is to provide advice to the WSIB 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; and
- general ad hoc occupational disease issues.
4) Qualifications
The WSIB is seeking one (1) qualified candidate to be a member of the Table.
The qualified candidate must:
- possess a professional designation or doctoral degree from a recognized institution in at least one of the following disciplines:
- occupational epidemiology,
- toxicology,
- occupational medicine,
- occupational hygiene, or
- some other appropriate professional designation;
- actively (or recently actively) practice and/or research in such settings and with such experience as may be desired by the WSIB (e.g., university, hospital or academic settings with critical appraisal expertise);
- have extensive experience (10 or more years) in their discipline, in practice or in research;
- be licensed in good standing in Ontario (for regulated health professionals).
5) Selection process
The WSIB will review all applications received against the skills and requirements set out for Table members. We will select an individual that provides a blend of qualifications and experiences most likely to complement the existing expertise represented at the Table.
The individual selected to the Table will be required to sign a contract with the WSIB for a term to be determined at the WSIB’s discretion (e.g., to ensure and maintain the appropriate available expertise and continuity from year to year), but a member’s tenure is expected to be two to three years, subject to renewal at the WSIB’s option.
The WSIB may remove, replace, or add new members to the Table as current and changing requirements evolve over the life of the Table. New members may be self-nominated, nominated by a current Table member, nominated by an association, or the WSIB may issue a call for interest via an Expression of Interest to qualified individuals. Individuals will undergo the same selection process, and the same level of due diligence will be taken in the selection of members regardless of the manner in which they are put forward.
6) Conflict of interest
The selected member must be willing to comply with Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality requirements of the government of Ontario and the WSIB. A copy of the WSIB’s Conflict of Interest Attestation is attached to this EOI as Schedule A. Individuals providing a response to this EOI are required to complete the Conflict of Interest Attestation, detailing the nature of any actual, potential or perceived Conflicts of Interest, and return this completed document with their response.
7) Compensation
The member will be compensated in keeping with similar advisory tables. Compensation is ranged between $1000 and $1750 per meeting and there are generally four or five meetings per year, with optional sub-committee meetings (e.g. specific topics that may require further discussion but not all Table members have expertise). The WSIB will set compensation for members which is not negotiable.
8) How to apply
Individuals interested in providing their time and expertise as members of the Table should review the Terms of Reference available on our website, and complete and send the WSIB
, and the to Nadine Maxwell at nadine_maxwell@wsib.on.ca no later than December 4, 2024, at 11:59pm.Questions about the Scientific Advisory Table on Occupational Disease or this EOI can be submitted to Nadine Maxwell at nadine_maxwell@wsib.on.ca no later than November 20, 2024, at 11:59pm. A consolidated list of questions and answers, if any, will be posted no later than November 22, 2024.