Download - Effectively Searching CCOHS Databases
Effectively Searching CCOHS Databases
Laurie Tirone & Jan Chappel
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
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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?
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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”.
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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
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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
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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”
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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
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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.
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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!
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Sample Topics
Health Hazard and regulatory information about chemicals
Ergonomics
OHS Program/Policy
CHEMINDEX
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Health hazard information about chemicals
What are the health hazards associated with toluene?
Check these sources:OSH Answers
CHEMINFO
Legislation
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Regulatory Information about Chemicals
My company has plants located in both Ontario and Alberta.
What are the regulated exposure limits in these provinces?
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Ergonomics
I’m looking for information on ergonomics.
Check these sources:
OSH Answers
OSH References
CSA Standard
CCOHS Pocket Guide
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Office Ergonomics Guide
Available in:
Print format
PDF format
on CD-ROM
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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?
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OSH Program / Policy
Check these sources:LegislationOSH AnswersCCOHS “Health and Safety Committee”
Pocket Guide
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OSH Program / Policy
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 )
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OSH Program / Policy
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.
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Available in:
Print format
PDF format
on CD-ROM
Health & Safety Committees Reference Guide
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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.
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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.
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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/
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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.
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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