Abstract

Over the past few decades, globalization, the growth of the services sector, and technological developments have been radically changing the world of work.

A research team will conduct a survey of a representative sample of Québec workers to document the effect of these transformations on worker health and safety. The aim is to draw up the first portrait of the labour market in Québec from this perspective. This portrait will serve to support research orientations and occupational health and safety (OHS) interventions. The researchers believe that the data collected will enhance knowledge of OHS determinants and of the situations likely to contribute to the onset of occupational injuries. The main aspects that the researchers plan to study are musculoskeletal disorders, traumatic accidents, psychological health at work, and workers’ general perception of their health, but also the organizational environment, physical demands related to jobs, and work/life balance.

This study falls under the mandate given by Québec’s Ministère du Travail to conduct a study every five years on the evolution of working conditions in Québec. The Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Ministère du Travail, Institut de la statistique du Québec and Commission des normes du travail are all helping fund the project.