Amin Yazdani

Collaborator

Education

PhD. Kinesiology-Work and Health

MSc. Occupational Health and Safety

BSc. Occupational Health and Safety

Key Appointments

Research Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo

Adjunct Assistant Professor, McMaster University

Instructor, School of Business and Hospitality, Conestoga College

Contact Information

Office: BMH 1038, Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo

Phone: (519) 888-4567 ext. 36376

Email: ayazdani@uwaterloo.ca

Fax: (519) 746-6776

Research Interests

Dr. Yazdani is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Waterloo, Adjunct Assistant Professor at McMaster University, and an Instructor at Conestoga College. He obtained his PhD in Kinesiology (Work and Health) from the University of Waterloo and has an MSc and BSc in Occupational Health and Safety. Dr. Yazdani uses a multidisciplinary strategy to develop innovative approaches to prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) and Work Disability in workplaces. This can be achieved by understanding organization management structures and knowledge of tools and approaches used by managers, engineers and other stakeholders. Using applied and collaborative research, Dr. Yazdani investigates the integration of prevention activities into these tools and approaches and incorporates Health and Safety (H&S), MSD prevention, and work disability prevention into business’s management structure. He also conducts research on economic evaluation (cost-benefit and cost-effective analysis) of H&S related policies and interventions. In the past, he worked as a health and safety manager and consultant in several manufacturing and construction companies. He has also acted as a consultant to implement Quality Management Systems, Health and Safety Management Systems, and Integrated Management Systems. Dr. Yazdani is currently working on the Development of a New MSD Prevention Guide for Ontario.

At the national level, Dr. Yazdani is spearheading several important initiatives including the development of three different Canadian Standards including:

Work Disability Prevention Management System;
Design and Use of Paramedic Emergency Response Vehicles and Equipment; and
Caregiving-Friendly Workplace Program.

He is also an active member of the technical committee for development of a Canadian standard on Office Ergonomic (CSA Z412).

Selected Publications

Yazdani, A., Bigelow, P, Carlan, N., Naqvi, S., Robson, L., Steenstra, I., McMillan, K., Wells, R. (2016). “Development and Evaluation of a Questionnaire to Document Worker Exposures to Mechanical Loading at a Workplace Level”. IIE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, 4 (1), 38-53.

Yazdani, A., Wells, R. (2016). Key informants’ perspectives on MSD prevention and management commitment, training and workers’ participation. Presented at PREMUS Conference. Toronto, Canada.

Yazdani, A., Wells, R. (2016). Feasibility study of creating a harmonized approach for MSD hazard assessment and engineering tools. Presented at PREMUS Conference. Toronto, Canada

Yazdani, A., Neumann, P., Imbeau, D., Bigelow, P., Pagell, M., Theberge, N., Hilbrecht, M., & Wells, R. (2015). “How compatible are participatory ergonomics programs with occupational health and safety management systems?” Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 41 (2): 111-123.

Yazdani, A., Neumann, P., Imbeau, D., Bigelow, P., Pagell, M., Wells, R. (2015). “Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders within Management Systems: A scoping review of practices, approaches, and techniques.” Applied Ergonomics, 51, 255-262.

Yazdani, A., Tompa, E., Wells, R., Loisel, P., Imbeau, D., Côté, P. (Nov 2015) Work Disability Prevention Management System Standard Stakeholder perspective on a proposal to develop a Canadian standard. Presented at CRWDP National Symposium, Toronto, Canada.

Tompa, E., Buettgen, A., Mahood, Q., Padkapayeva, K., Posen, A., Yazdani A. (2015). “Evidence synthesis of workplace accommodation policies and practices for persons with visible disabilities”. Report submitted to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), 2015. Available at: https://www.crwdp.ca/en/new-studies

Yazdani, A., Wells, R. (2015). How Organizations Address Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) Prevention within their Management System Framework? Presented at the 47th Annual Conference of the Nordic Ergonomics and Human Factors Society. Lillehammer, Norway.

Steenstra, IA., Alavinia, M., Beaton, D., Cullen, K., Geary, J., Gignac, M., Gross, D., Irvin, E., Loisel, P., MacDonald, S., Mahood, Q., Pransky, G., Puts, M., Scott-Marshall, H., Tompa, E., Van Eerd, D., Wilkie, R., Yazdani, A. (2014) The role of aging in return to work and stay at work: A systematic review. Presented at the CAG2014: Landscapes of Aging. Niagara Falls, Canada.