keynote ABSTRACTS
Andrea Mandel Campbell (NATIONAL): Why Mexicans Don’t Drink Molsons
Canada’s global success and the perils of continued complacency.Canada has all the makings of a global leader, yet it has opted to become a laggard, frittering away its jackpot of rich resources rather than building viable multinationals that are ultimately the country’s best defence in a globalized world. Andrea Mandel-Campbell shares some insights from her interviews from Canada's leading executives and behind-the-scenes movers and shakers for her book, Why Mexicans Don't Drink Molsons, to reveal the hidden challenges to Canada’s global success and the perils of continued complacency.
Canada’s global success and the perils of continued complacency.Canada has all the makings of a global leader, yet it has opted to become a laggard, frittering away its jackpot of rich resources rather than building viable multinationals that are ultimately the country’s best defence in a globalized world. Andrea Mandel-Campbell shares some insights from her interviews from Canada's leading executives and behind-the-scenes movers and shakers for her book, Why Mexicans Don't Drink Molsons, to reveal the hidden challenges to Canada’s global success and the perils of continued complacency.
Kelly Drennan (Fashion Takes Action): Fashion Takes Action
The global apparel and textile industry is an important one – valued at more than three trillion dollars. With this comes a huge responsibility, both to the environment and to the millions of people who make our clothes. Because of this, it is well positioned to have a tremendous impact on climate change. By shifting toward more innovative, sustainable and regenerative business models, brands, retailers, manufacturers – the entire supply chain of fashion - has the power to positively impact the environment and millions of people worldwide.
Learn about the negative impacts of the fashion industry, and the movement underfoot to radically disrupt the status quo. Take a journey with Kelly Drennan through the underbelly of the industry, from the cotton farms to the leather tanneries, and learn how to take action – both as a consumer and as a business.
The global apparel and textile industry is an important one – valued at more than three trillion dollars. With this comes a huge responsibility, both to the environment and to the millions of people who make our clothes. Because of this, it is well positioned to have a tremendous impact on climate change. By shifting toward more innovative, sustainable and regenerative business models, brands, retailers, manufacturers – the entire supply chain of fashion - has the power to positively impact the environment and millions of people worldwide.
Learn about the negative impacts of the fashion industry, and the movement underfoot to radically disrupt the status quo. Take a journey with Kelly Drennan through the underbelly of the industry, from the cotton farms to the leather tanneries, and learn how to take action – both as a consumer and as a business.
Program Speaker abstracts
Derek Sang (Bulwark Protective Apparel): What You Need to Know About the Selection, Use, Care and Maintenance of FR/AR Clothing
There is still a lot of misleading, inaccurate and incorrect information regarding Selecting the proper FR Clothing - Regulations in both the US and Canada make it very clear that training on PPE is required. How do you train on FR clothing? What is your responsibility for care and maintenance of your FR clothing? We will cover what guidance is provided by the standards and review best practices in selecting, using and caring for your FR clothing to assist in your organization being compliant. Attendees will take away:
There is still a lot of misleading, inaccurate and incorrect information regarding Selecting the proper FR Clothing - Regulations in both the US and Canada make it very clear that training on PPE is required. How do you train on FR clothing? What is your responsibility for care and maintenance of your FR clothing? We will cover what guidance is provided by the standards and review best practices in selecting, using and caring for your FR clothing to assist in your organization being compliant. Attendees will take away:
- How to design a specification for your company for FR Clothing
- What to train your people on when it comes to FR/AR Clothing
- Layering for added protection
Hyun-Joong Chung (University of Alberta): Smart Textiles in Emerging Wearable Healthcare Electronics Technologies
Fabrics are inherently ‘smart materials’ with their unique characteristics for skin comfort that have been optimized over thousands of years. For wearable healthcare devices, an ultimate user comfort would be achieved when wearable health care electronics integrate to daily textile and clothes while maintaining the fabrics’ favorable properties. Fabric-based electronics in which electronics are built on textile fibers (e-textiles) have been suggested as the next-generation technology over the three decades. Recent advancement in nanotechnology and stretchable electronics enables e-textiles to be truly tangible. In this presentation, I will review the history and current technological challenges of e-textiles. Finally, I will review recent activities from my laboratory (Soft Material and Device Lab @ University of Alberta), including e-textile based surface electromyography (sEMG) sensing of human muscle activities and electrocardiography (EEG) sensing of human brain waves.
Fabrics are inherently ‘smart materials’ with their unique characteristics for skin comfort that have been optimized over thousands of years. For wearable healthcare devices, an ultimate user comfort would be achieved when wearable health care electronics integrate to daily textile and clothes while maintaining the fabrics’ favorable properties. Fabric-based electronics in which electronics are built on textile fibers (e-textiles) have been suggested as the next-generation technology over the three decades. Recent advancement in nanotechnology and stretchable electronics enables e-textiles to be truly tangible. In this presentation, I will review the history and current technological challenges of e-textiles. Finally, I will review recent activities from my laboratory (Soft Material and Device Lab @ University of Alberta), including e-textile based surface electromyography (sEMG) sensing of human muscle activities and electrocardiography (EEG) sensing of human brain waves.
Lelia Lawson (Davey Textile Solutions) & Rob LeLacheur (Road 55): The Development of Something
Taking a scientific approach to product development can seem complicated and daunting. During this presentation, Lelia will provide case study examples of how the scientific approach has been utilized in the development of high visibility safety striping. Rob will use his creative talent to explain these concepts to the audience in relatable terms.
Taking a scientific approach to product development can seem complicated and daunting. During this presentation, Lelia will provide case study examples of how the scientific approach has been utilized in the development of high visibility safety striping. Rob will use his creative talent to explain these concepts to the audience in relatable terms.
Devin Phillips (University of Alberta): Influence of Work Clothing on Physiological Responses and Exercise Performance: Implications for Occupational Fitness Testing
The Wildland Firefighter Pack Test, originally developed for the United States Forest Service, also called the Pack Hike Test in Australia, is one of the most widely used tests of readiness for work for wildland firefighting. The Pack Test requires candidates to walk 4.83 km on level ground in 45 minutes or less while carrying a 20.4 kg backpack. It is assumed that the physiological challenge of this task simulation replicates the energy demands of wildland firefighting and that meeting the performance standard indicates physiological readiness for work. While the test is widely used, there appears to be little standardization in some aspects of the protocol, which leads to questions about correct interpretation of the results. For example, footwear and clothing are not standardized and it is common to see test subjects completing the Pack Test protocol dressed in normal exercise clothing (e.g., shorts, t-shirt, running shoes) or alternately, with work clothing and boots. In contrast, the National Fire Protection Agency Standard 1977 (NFPA 2005) specifies clothing and footwear requirements for wildland firefighters that includes a protective ensemble (e.g., coveralls, gloves, helmet, boots) which is heavier and more restrictive than exercise clothing. Devin will present original research showing the physiological and performance burden of work clothing during both treadmill exercise and the Wildland Firefighter Pack Test.
The Wildland Firefighter Pack Test, originally developed for the United States Forest Service, also called the Pack Hike Test in Australia, is one of the most widely used tests of readiness for work for wildland firefighting. The Pack Test requires candidates to walk 4.83 km on level ground in 45 minutes or less while carrying a 20.4 kg backpack. It is assumed that the physiological challenge of this task simulation replicates the energy demands of wildland firefighting and that meeting the performance standard indicates physiological readiness for work. While the test is widely used, there appears to be little standardization in some aspects of the protocol, which leads to questions about correct interpretation of the results. For example, footwear and clothing are not standardized and it is common to see test subjects completing the Pack Test protocol dressed in normal exercise clothing (e.g., shorts, t-shirt, running shoes) or alternately, with work clothing and boots. In contrast, the National Fire Protection Agency Standard 1977 (NFPA 2005) specifies clothing and footwear requirements for wildland firefighters that includes a protective ensemble (e.g., coveralls, gloves, helmet, boots) which is heavier and more restrictive than exercise clothing. Devin will present original research showing the physiological and performance burden of work clothing during both treadmill exercise and the Wildland Firefighter Pack Test.
Robyn Auld, NSERC: Supporting a Culture of Discovery and Innovation: An Overview of the NSERC Research Partnership Program and Complementary Federal Support
This presentation will provide an overview of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Research Partnership Program, which supports innovative R&D collaboration between academic researchers and companies. Additional information will be provided on the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME), a unit of Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) focused on helping SME’s better understand the Government of Canada procurement process.
This presentation will provide an overview of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Research Partnership Program, which supports innovative R&D collaboration between academic researchers and companies. Additional information will be provided on the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME), a unit of Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) focused on helping SME’s better understand the Government of Canada procurement process.
Jan Henningsen, Textile Engineer
Advanced Visibility’s mission “to save lives and prevent injuries by offering the most technologically advanced, next -generation, high visibility materials and safety garments in the industry”. Jan will discuss the journey in the development of a phosphorescent, or “glow-in-the-dark” trim. This unique trim offers visibility solutions for individuals working in completely dark environments or for individuals moving back and forth between light and dark work environments.
Advanced Visibility’s mission “to save lives and prevent injuries by offering the most technologically advanced, next -generation, high visibility materials and safety garments in the industry”. Jan will discuss the journey in the development of a phosphorescent, or “glow-in-the-dark” trim. This unique trim offers visibility solutions for individuals working in completely dark environments or for individuals moving back and forth between light and dark work environments.
Darren Schulte (LOF Defense Systems): K-9 Tactical Armor
LOF Defence Systems (Edmonton, AB) has been producing canine harnesses for police dogs for years, but after Edmonton Police Service Dog Quanto was killed on the job in 2013, it hit home with the staff at LOF Defence Systems. They decided to revolutionize armoured vests for dogs by designing a vest that weighs about half the size of a traditional vest. Darren will talk about the design process, as well as the challenges faced, in developing the K9 StreetFighter Vest. This unique K9 armour system is used to protect our 4-legged friends working in Law Enforcement and Special Forces across Canada, United States, Europe and Asia.
LOF Defence Systems (Edmonton, AB) has been producing canine harnesses for police dogs for years, but after Edmonton Police Service Dog Quanto was killed on the job in 2013, it hit home with the staff at LOF Defence Systems. They decided to revolutionize armoured vests for dogs by designing a vest that weighs about half the size of a traditional vest. Darren will talk about the design process, as well as the challenges faced, in developing the K9 StreetFighter Vest. This unique K9 armour system is used to protect our 4-legged friends working in Law Enforcement and Special Forces across Canada, United States, Europe and Asia.
Irene Dixon (Reflective Advantage): Safety Beyond the Workplace
Vision Zero is an international safety program that began in Sweden in 1997 committed to reducing pedestrian deaths and serious injuries to zero. That country now has the lowest rate of traffic fatalities in the world. Edmonton was the first major Canadian city to adopt Vision Zero. Improving infrastructure, road design and traffic flow to minimize the impact of human error is key and requires planning, deep financial investment and time. Companies spend a fortune on safety education and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed to prevent fatalities and serious injuries in the workplace. CSA approved vests protect construction, industrial and emergency response workers by making them visible on the job. But what happens when they take off their vests and become invisible in real life? The benefit of workplace safety training doesn’t always follow into their everyday lives to protect them and their loved ones. Thousands of vulnerable road users are killed and seriously injured in collisions with vehicles every year. Pedestrians walk about in dark clothing oblivious to the risk they are taking by being invisible to drivers who may not see them until it’s too late to avoid a collision. Educating employees to apply their safety training beyond the workplace and to be visible as pedestrians is a major step towards achieving the Vision Zero goal of eliminating fatalities and serious injuries on our roads.
Vision Zero is an international safety program that began in Sweden in 1997 committed to reducing pedestrian deaths and serious injuries to zero. That country now has the lowest rate of traffic fatalities in the world. Edmonton was the first major Canadian city to adopt Vision Zero. Improving infrastructure, road design and traffic flow to minimize the impact of human error is key and requires planning, deep financial investment and time. Companies spend a fortune on safety education and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed to prevent fatalities and serious injuries in the workplace. CSA approved vests protect construction, industrial and emergency response workers by making them visible on the job. But what happens when they take off their vests and become invisible in real life? The benefit of workplace safety training doesn’t always follow into their everyday lives to protect them and their loved ones. Thousands of vulnerable road users are killed and seriously injured in collisions with vehicles every year. Pedestrians walk about in dark clothing oblivious to the risk they are taking by being invisible to drivers who may not see them until it’s too late to avoid a collision. Educating employees to apply their safety training beyond the workplace and to be visible as pedestrians is a major step towards achieving the Vision Zero goal of eliminating fatalities and serious injuries on our roads.
- Learn about the near epidemic scope of pedestrian casualties globally and interventions being implemented to curb this devastating development;
- Identify gaps between safety practices on the job site and those beyond the workplace; and
- Learn how to enhance your current safety-training program to keep employees safe and protect the bottom line.