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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Promoting safe use of biological degreasing stations

The Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) recently published a fact sheet aimed at preventing work-related injuries caused by the use of biological degreasing stations. These degreasing stations are used for manually removing grease from metal parts, among other things, in motor vehicle garages and mechanical maintenance shops.

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Choosing the appropriate safety belt for a lift truck

Developed with the input of a working group representing various sectors of activity, a practical information pamphlet and a complementary worksheet have just been published by the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) to assist preventionists, maintenance personnel, and lift truck suppliers in choosing the appropriate seat belt assembly for protecting lift truck operators. The Regulation respecting occupational health and safety requires that counterbalanced lift trucks be equipped with a retention device to prevent operators from being crushed by their truck in the event of a tipover.

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A matter that concerns us all!: Preventing workplace violence

The Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), in collaboration with Recherche sur les interrelations personnelles, organisationnelles et sociales du travail (or RIPOST, a research group on personal, organizational and social interrelations at work), is launching a Web site that offers a practical, proven process for sustainably preventing workplace violence in all types of organizations.

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Planning tool: Safer manual handling

As part of a new approach to training, the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) has launched a planning support tool for safer manual material handling. Researchers worked with an assessment checklist for handling situations in designing this new tool, which was then tested by occupational health and safety (OHS) practitioners to render it as user friendly as possible. The tool is designed to help OHS practitioners gain a better understanding of material handling situations and plan changes and training activities appropriate to the work setting.

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