Ergonomic factors related to health and safety problems in supermarkets, and the potential impact of ergonomic interventions Abstract This research was undertaken to evaluate health and safety problems in supermarkets, identify risk factors, and develop intervention strategies. The study population included all workers except managers and cashiers: assistant cashiers, bakers, produce clerks, grocery clerks, delicatessen clerks, butchers, bakery wrappers, and fish mongers. Musculoskeletal injuries accounted for 63% of all reported occupational injuries, and almost half of the population had suffered such injuries in the seven days preceding the study. Exposure to risk factors was estimated, taking into account each employee’s time budget (hours per week). Statistically significant associations were observed between some risk factors and musculoskeletal problems. Task analysis indicated that the most important determinants of risk factors were architecture, furniture, workplace layout and organizational factors. The pattern of results, including an analysis of the company’s organization and business position (obtained through semi-open interviews), suggests that integrating ergonomics considerations into the planning of supermarket renovation or design is the most promising intervention strategy. Produced Under this Project Scientific Reports Occupational health and safety in supermarkets Research Summary: RR-223A look at corporate supermarkets in order to study occupational health and safety R1-223Occupational health and safety in supermarkets: analysis of occupational injuries and a look at work organization R2-223Occupational health and safety in supermarkets: work analysis R3-223Occupational health and safety in supermarkets: the musculoskeletal health of workers R4-223Occupational health and safety in supermarkets: the relationship between the exposure dose for various occupational risk factors and musculoskeletal problems R5-223Occupational health and safety in supermarkets: integration of results and possible prevention scenarios R6-223 Simplified Articles Travailleurs de supermarchés Origine des troubles musculo-squelettiques et avenues de solutions Volume 13, n0 4 Scientific Publications Santé musculosquelettique des travailleurs : différences selon la source de données utiliséeLapointe C., Forcier L., Lortie M., Kuorinka I., Lemaire J.Source : in Enjeux psychosociaux de la santé, Lévy, J.J.; Maisonneuve, D; Bilodeau, H., Garnier, C. (éds), Ste-Foy, Presses de l'Université du Québec, 2003, p. 17-27Prévenir les TMS en supermarché : par où commencer?Beaugrand S., Richard J.-G., Forcier L.Source : Travail et santé. vol. 19, no 4, 2003, p. 45-50Un portrait de la santé musculosquelettique des travailleurs dans les supermarchés au Québec : différent selon la source de données utilisée?Lapointe C., Forcier L.Source : in Colloque "Santé et société: perspectives psychosociales" : 70e Congrès de l’Association canadienne-française pour l'avancement des sciences / ACFAS (70e : 13-17 mai, 2002 : Ste-Foy, Canada), Université Laval, 2002Supermarket workers : their work and their health, particularly their self-reported musculoskeletal problems and compensable injuriesForcier L., Lapointe C., Lortie M., Buckle P., Kuorinka K., Lemaire J., Beaugrand S.Source : Work : A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, 2008, vol. 30, no 4, p. 493-510 Additional Information Type: Project Number: 0093-0350 Status: Completed Year of completion: 1999 Research Field: OSH and Sustainable Prevention Work Environment Team: Lina Forcier (Université du Québec à Montréal )Sylvie Beaugrand (IRSST)Claire Lapointe (IRSST)Monique Lortie (Université du Québec à Montréal )Jacques Lemaire (Université du Québec à Montréal )Ilkka Kuorinka (IRSST)Peter Buckle (Université de Surrey (UK))Jean-Guy Richard (IRSST)