effectively searching ccohs databases

Effectively Searching CCOHS Databases

Laurie Tirone & Jan Chappel

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)

Formulating Your Search

What is your search question or topic?

Which database or data source should you use?

What are the features of the search engine?

What is your search question or topic?

Determine exactly what you are looking for.

Create a search query that uses terms that are specific or unique to your subject. • will narrow or limit your search more quickly.

Avoid using common terms, such as “safety” or “health”.

Which database or source should you use?

What kind of information do you need?• general chemical information, or detailed

toxicity reports?• a specific piece of legislation or related

guideline?• published research from the health and

safety literature? Learn what type of information each data

source contains

What features does the search engine use?

Natural Language Structure Boolean Operators – “and”, “or”, “not” Word Stemming Truncation Relevancy Ranking Multiple fields/indexes for searching

Search features used in OSH Answers

Natural language structure• automatically “ORs” terms

Word stemming Relevancy ranking More

• to find other documents similar to the one retrieved, check the More box and then click on “Find Similar Documents”

Quick and Advanced searches Boolean operators

• automatically “ANDs” terms unless otherwise specified

Truncation• available in Advanced search

Multiple indexes/fields• more are available in Advanced search

Search features used in chemical and bibliographic databases

Search features used in Canadian enviroOSH Legislation

Natural language structure• automatically “ORs” terms

Word stemming Relevancy ranking More

• to find other documents similar to the one retrieved, check the More box and then click on “Find Similar Documents”. This is only available when searching the

entire collection, not a specific jurisdiction.

CD-ROM version uses Folio Views 4.2• Uses many very powerful search features.

Remember…

Become familiar with the search engine for each data source that you use by reading the help section – this will save you time in long run!

Sample Topics

Health Hazard and regulatory information about chemicals

Ergonomics

OHS Program/Policy

CHEMINDEX

Page 10

Health hazard information about chemicals

What are the health hazards associated with toluene?

Check these sources:OSH Answers

CHEMINFO

Legislation

Regulatory Information about Chemicals

My company has plants located in both Ontario and Alberta.

What are the regulated exposure limits in these provinces?

Ergonomics

I’m looking for information on ergonomics.

Check these sources:

OSH Answers

OSH References

CSA Standard

CCOHS Pocket Guide

Office Ergonomics Guide

Available in:

Print format

PDF format

on CD-ROM

OSH Program / Policy

My company needs an official health and safety policy statement.

How do I go about writing one?What type of information should go into one?What can the H&S Committee do to help?


Check these sources:LegislationOSH AnswersCCOHS “Health and Safety Committee”

Pocket Guide


From the “Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act” (Ontario):

Employer’s Duty to...• prepare a written occupational health and safety policy, review that policy at least once a year and set up a program to implement it (section 25(2)(j)). ** For guidance on how to do this, see Appendix A - (from Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act )


Guidelines from British Columbia: list of reference material

• 14 Elements of a Successful Safety and Health Program. Chicago, IL: National Safety Council, 1994.

• Developing your Health and Safety Policy and Program: A Guide for Employers. Toronto, ON: Industrial Accident Prevention Association, 1989.

• Parmeggiani, L. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 4th ed. Geneva: International Labour Organization, 1997.

• Rest, K.M. & N.A. Ashford. Occupational Health and Safety in British Columbia: An Administrative Inventory of the Prevention 1997. Available from: Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia, Films & Posters.

Available in:

Print format

PDF format

on CD-ROM

Health & Safety Committees Reference Guide

CHEMINDEX

Free on Web Provides identification information for over

200,000 chemicals:• chemical names and synonyms, • the CAS registry number, and• a list of the CCINFO databases containing

information on that substance.

Summary - When Searching for Answers

Identify your topic or search question.

Create a search query that uses terms that are specific or unique to your subject.

Choose a database or data source.

Learn the search features associated with each search engine.

Temporary access to CCOHS web databases

MSDS / FTSS CHEMINFO RTECS CHEMINDEX

(always free)

HSELINE OSHLINE with NIOSHTIC CISILO Canadian enviroOSH

Legislation Plus Standards

Until April 30, FREE access is available to:

OSH Answers is always free from the CCOHS website at www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/

Instructions for free access until April 30

1. Go to http://www.ccohs.ca and scroll down to Subscriber’s Corner.

2. Select a database from the list.

3. Perform a search.

4. Select a record to open.

5. When prompted, enter the user name IAPA2001 and the password TEMP.

Further Assistance

For help with access or searching, or to begin a subscription to any CCOHS

database, please contact:

CCOHS Client Services

1-800-668-4284

[email protected]