Support Tool for Choosing Respiratory Protection against Bioaerosols in the Workplace

After consulting potential users, the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) has launched an online tool for choosing respiratory protection against bioaerosols (toxins, bacteria, viruses, mould spores, etc.). Designed for industrial hygienists, physicians and health-care professionals, the tool uses a control-banding system developed by researchers at the IRSST and the Université de Montréal, working with an expert committee. It is a user-friendly way to select the appropriate respiratory protection for a workplace, based on the infectious or non-infectious bioaerosol hazards and workers’ exposure level.

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Rehabilitation of workers with knee osteoarthritis

The Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), in collaboration with the Réseau provincial de recherche en adaptation-réadaptation (REPAR-FRSQ), has just published a literature review of the risk factors associated with the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis (knee OA), the quality and relevance of the evaluation instruments used during rehabilitation, and clinician interventions. The specialists estimate that by 2026, two-thirds of people aged 55 to 64 will develop knee OA, a disease that often causes functional limitations and chronic disabilities and complicates the return to work.

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Safe Plastic Injection Molding Machines and Auxiliary Equipment

To prevent serious and even fatal accidents, the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) has published safety checklists for horizontal plastic injection molding machines with auxiliary equipment. The checklists meet the expressed needs of the plastics processin...

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Response of the Human Body to Vibrations on Elastic Seats

As part of an exploratory study, researchers assessed the validity of a system of measuring the distribution of pressure at the body-seat interface to estimate the dynamic behaviour and coupling effects of a person sitting on an elastic seat exposed to vertical vibration. The experimental testing wa...

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Better Support for 911 Call Centre Agents

It has been shown that handling difficult emergency calls generates considerable emotional strain and a large workload, which can increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in 911 call centre agents. Researchers at the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) wanted to establish a baseline of existing support practices with a view to proposing an approach for improving the support provided to these workers. The researchers interviewed managers, trainers and agents about the support currently provided for dealing with various difficult situations such as arrogant callers or people who are panicking, suicidal or mentally ill. The interviewees were also asked about the improvements they would like to see in the support offered.

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The IRSST is named a vice-chair of the International Section of the ISSA for Research on Prevention of Occupational Risks

The Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) will serve as one of the vice-chairs of the International Section of the ISSA (International Social Security Association) for Research on Prevention of Occupational Risks. IRSST president and CEO, Marie Larue, will rep...

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Lobster Fishing: Preventing Falls Overboard

Commercial fishing has always been a high-risk activity. Working on lobster boats buffeted by the waves, fishers handle heavy traps and long lengths of rope on slippery and unstable surfaces; conditions that can lead to falls overboard. Nevertheless, “this is the first time in Québec and Canada that researchers have studied the risks of falling overboard, in addition to documenting means of prevention and determining promising avenues to reduce these risks,” remarks professor Sylvie Montreuil of Université Laval, the study’s principal author.

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Improving Safety on Mid-shore Fishing Boats

Ocean fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations, as it is carried out under difficult conditions on a slippery, moving surface exposed to the elements. Researchers wanted to test the performance of the two most popular systems used in Québec to lessen roll, the transversal movement of vessels caused by swell or waves, and which pose significant risks in terms of the safety of mid-shore fishers. The researchers compared an increasingly popular technology, the hinged fin system, now found on 11% of the 292 vessels of over 15 gross tonnage, with that of paravanes, used on half of the fishing vessels inventoried.

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Choosing a Safe, Efficient Blow Gun

Montréal, February 11, 2015 – As a supplement to its Répertoire des silencieux, soufflettes et pistolets aspirateurs [directory of compressed-air mufflers, blow guns and vacuum guns], updated in 2012, the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), in co...

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