IRSST - Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail

Biomechanical and ergonomic impacts of handling on obese workers

Abstract

With Canadian workers, obesity is increasing, going from 12.5% in the mid-1990s to almost 16% in 2005. There is very little evidence about the impact of obesity on the ways of performing handling tasks. During a previous IRSST study that compared the work methods of expert and novice handlers, the researchers observed that, during a task, the workers with excess weight would compensate for this excess by using protective strategies to lessen the effects.
This project aims to identify adaptation strategies in handling, specific to overweight workers. The results will have an impact on the development, evaluation and implementation of better-adapted handling training programs.

Additional Information

Type: Project
Number: 2010-0003
Status: Completed
Year of completion: 2013
Team:
  • Philippe Corbeil (Université Laval)
  • André Plamondon (IRSST)
  • Normand Teasdale (Université Laval)
  • Hakim Mecheri (IRSST)