Abstract

Back injuries account for 28% of reported accidents in the mining sector. In light of this, the mining sector's joint sector-based association requested that the IRSST study the question of back disorders in its sector. The analysis of back injuries that occurred between January 1987 and October 1993 shows that the type of work is a more decisive factor in back injuries than individual factors such as age and experience. The workstations of operators of heavy machinery and labourers were identified as having a higher proportion of back injuries than those of miners, diamond diggers and mechanics. The handling of heavy loads and falls are the main causes of these injuries. This identification of risky occupations should help in the development of strategies aimed at eliminating back pain in Québec’s mining sector.