Abstract

Despite a 15% reduction in the number of manual workers in the Québec garment industry between 1981 and 1986, compensated injuries increased by 14%, and compensation costs increased by 58%. Most of these problems (musculoskeletal problems, psychosocial problems, and unspecified problems) were related to repetitive work performed under time pressures.

In a preliminary descriptive study of work organization and health and safety in the garment industry, a sample of factories were visited and interviews conducted with employer and worker representatives, and competent resource people. This data will be used to draw up a portrait of problematic work organization and conditions.

Besides helping focus health and safety activities in this sector, this study will propose intervention strategies in the fields of training, prevention, and work organization, and identify future research hypotheses.