Troy Collins

Biography

Troy has practiced ergonomics for over 17 years, starting with a co-op term conducting ergonomics assessments for a chemical plant in my final semester at SFU, where he stayed on afterwards. Early on, he took a hiatus from ergonomics to teach English overseas where he married and started a family. After coming back to Canada, Troy returned to ergonomics and consulted for several companies as well as at the City of Edmonton. While doing so, he got certified which required taking some additional undergrad courses. Since 2013 Troy has been with Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) providing ergonomics support to staff providing wide range of specialized healthcare services from laboratory diagnostics and paramedic services to supply chain and nurses.

QUESTIONS

1) What is your current position? What does a typical work day look like for you?   

I am an ergonomics consultant with PHSA. I provide a range of services to PHSA agencies and my days can vary. One day I may be doing an ergonomics assessment; another I may be planning a mock up or trial of a piece of equipment. The next day I may be developing or delivering training, or perhaps I’m working on implementing or supporting a new program.

2) How did your education in BPK influence your career?

Once I discovered ergonomics as a field of study and career option, I took every related course available. Without that education, I could never have become a certified ergonomist and I wouldn’t be able to come to work everyday and practice this exciting and important profession!

3) Who in BPK had an impact on you and why?

Three instructors spring to mind: Tony Leland, Stephen Brown and Anne-Kristina Arnold. Tony introduced ergonomics to me for the first time in biomechanics class; Stephen’s excellent course on MSI development and prevention was my first ergonomics course; and Anne-Kristina taught 2 of the courses I took when I returned to SFU and has been supportive outside of the school.

4) What is your favourite memory of your time at SFU as an undergraduate?

I have fond memories of just studying and being with others who were in the same special time of life, studying hard, lapping up the experience and looking to the exciting future ahead of us!

5) What advice would you give to today’s BPK student? 

Be curious.