We are proud to share that two of our Master of Science in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (MSc OEH) students have been recognized for their outstanding research at the 2025 Canadian Association for Research on Work and Health (CARWH) Conference in Ottawa. Congratulations to Chizitara Nkwopara, a recent MSc OEH graduate, and Harman Sandhu, a current MSc OEH student, who received the only two Best Student Oral Presentation Awards at this year’s national event.
Both students received support for their research from SPPH’s Partnership for Work, Health, and Safety and funding from WorkSafeBC. Chizitara’s research was part of a WorkSafeBC-funded project grant and Harman was supported by a WorkSafeBC Research Training Award for 2024-2025. This support ensures that their research tackles policy-relevant issues and that their findings are applied to enhance workplace health and safety in British Columbia and beyond.
Chizitara Nkwopara: Mental health, ergonomics and pain: Results from a cross-sectional study of young construction workers
Young construction workers face heightened vulnerability to ergonomic risk factors, musculoskeletal pain, and mental health challenges due to early exposure to physically demanding tasks. Using a cross-sectional survey of 366 young construction workers in BC, this study examined the prevalence of ergonomic risk factors, musculoskeletal pain, and mental health issues, and explored the role of sociodemographic and workplace factors. High exposure to ergonomic risk factors increased the odds of poor mental health. Lower back and lower extremity pain partly explained this relationship and correlated significantly with poor mental health. Supervisor and co-worker support reduced the odds by up to 76%. Targeted ergonomic interventions, pain management, and strong workplace relationships, especially supervisor support, are critical for reducing mental health risks and improving young construction workers’ well-being.
We previously featured Chizitara in a special student profile.
Harman Sandhu: Investigating differences in return-to-work outcomes for workers with work-related chronic pain and concurrent psychological injuries in BC
Chronic pain and psychological injuries may influence return-to-work outcomes differently when considered together compared to individually. This study examined workers’ compensation claims data to investigate differences in return-to-work outcomes among workers with different injury types (psychological injury, chronic pain, and concurrent psychological injury with chronic pain). Initial findings reveal significant differences in days off work by injury type, with concurrent psychological injury with chronic pain leading to much longer periods off work. Further analysis will examine differences by age, sex, and occupation, and will provide valuable information on how support systems can be modified to better facilitate return-to-work.
These awards highlight the vital role of student research in shaping the future of occupational health policy and practice. Please join us in congratulating Chizitara and Harman for their well-deserved recognition — and for making a meaningful difference in the lives of working Canadians!