WSIB Scientific Advisory Table on Occupational Disease

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, is 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 will help form a solid foundation for future occupational disease policy development.

It 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. Table members were selected through a transparent application process (held from November 2 to December 7, 2021) and set criteria.

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 will make 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

  1. 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
  1. Victoria Arrandale, PhD, ROH
    Assistant Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. Thomas Tenkate, DrPH, FEHA, FRSPH, CRM, CRSP, CSP
    Associate Professor, School of Occupational and Public Health, Ryerson 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.
Assistant Director, 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 will provide expert scientific advice to the WSIB to support policy development and scheduling. The Table’s membership is intended to represent the scientific disciplines most relevant to occupational disease to ensure that their qualifications and extensive experience optimize the quality of advice provided. The members will assist the WSIB in obtaining high quality scientific evidence that may lead to the further identification and recognition of occupational diseases in regulation and policy, or adjustments to policy guidance as appropriate. This approach is intended to support timely and consistent decision making.

By providing scientific advice, an advisory table will help the WSIB fulfill 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 suitably qualified individuals in the scientific disciplines relevant to occupational disease (e.g., Occupational Epidemiology, Toxicology, Occupational Hygiene, and Occupational Medicine) to serve as independent members of its scientific advisory table on issues related to occupational disease.

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 five (5) qualified candidates to be members of this Table, including a Chair.

Qualified candidates 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;
  • be in active (or recently active) 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 the combination of members which provides a blend of qualifications and experiences most likely to optimize the quality of advice provided by the Table.

Individuals 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 expects that the role of Chair will be for two or more years.

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

Members 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

Members will be compensated in keeping with similar advisory tables. Previous compensation ranged between $1000 and $1750 per meeting depending upon experience and Chairmanship. The WSIB will set compensation for members which is not negotiable. The WSIB may consider offering a retainer for the Chairmanship position however individuals interested in pursuing the role of Chair should not consider this in their decision to apply for this role.