Accidents du travail et assemblage

Cette étude compare l'influence, sur le risque qualitatif d'accidents,de deux lignes d'assemblage de matériel de transport. L'organisation de la production de ces lignes diffère par le nombre de postes réduit sur l'une d'elles, ce qui intensifie la coactivité entre travailleurs à chaque phase du processus. Les 150 accidents avec perte de temps des assembleurs survenus sur ces deux lignes d'assemblage de véhicules routiers pendant trois ans sont regroupés en six classes homogènes, à partir d'une analyse multivariée de leurs caractéristiques. Aucun lien significatif n'est toutefois observé entre ces classes d'accidents et les lignes d'assemblage. Il est discuté que l'intensification de la coactivité puisse être un facteur de contribution à la fréquence des accidents mais non à leur type.The study was carried out in a Québec company that manufactures transportation equipment, and its goal was to compare the effect of two production organization strategies used on two different assembly Unes on the qualitative risk of accidents. For the same type of product, these lines differed essentially in the number of workstations and the average duration of a cycle by workstation. On the assembly line with fewer workstations, the number of parts to be assembled per workstation and the coactivity between workers are both higher. This line also had the highest accident frequency rate over the last year of the study. To compare the accidents associated with each of the production lines, a series of characteristics of the 150 accidents with the time lost over three years was compiled and analyzed to answer the following question: "What are the most characteristic types of injuries to assemblers, and under what circumstances do they occur?" Then, the existence of a possible link between the types of accidents and the production line as well as between the types of accidents and the production phase was tested. Using multivariate analysis techniques, the assemblers' 150 accidents were summarized into six typical situations (classes): falls and impacts during displacements and during descents from vehicles; pain and muscular reactions caused by body movements; excessive efforts during the handling of parts or heavy equipment; pinches, blows and impacts associated with the handling of parts or tools; cuts to hands resulting from blows or rubbing; foreign bodies projected into the eyes. It was subsequently observed that there was no significant relationship between the types of accidents and the assembly line, nor between the types of accidents and the assembly phase.It is understood that the results of this study cannot be assumed to apply to other companies in the sector concerned, since these are not results from a sectorially representative random sample. However, it seems that two observations have broader application regarding the work and the assembly tasks. The first is that accidents occur under circumstances, and have consequences, which can be typified. This observation invalidetes the hypothesis of the strictly random character of accidents and promotes the pinpointing of typical accident situations and problems for prevention. The second observation is that, for the same type of process, increased coactivity seems to be a determinant in the frequency of accidents, but not in their type. This does not mean that the extent of the coactivity by itself explains why accidents occur, but it suggests that it is a contributing factor in their occurrence.As for the determinant factors revealed by the study for each type of accident, the results obtained and the available data do not allow solid conclusions. The question answered is the following, "What is happening, and under what work situations does it occur?" However, for determining "Why does this happen?" or "Why does it happen in this way?", at the very most, avenues may be opened. It is proposed that an attempt be made to answer these questions, considering the knowledge acquired, the potential number of workers affected, and the enduring nature of the tasks involved

Taux d’incidence des accidents du travail et vieillissement : l’importance du type de dénominateur

Deux études récentes relatives à la problématique du vieillissement ont produit des résultats contradictoires en ce qui concerne la relation entre l'âge et le taux d'incidence des lésions professionnelles dans le secteur de la santé et des services sociaux. Les auteurs examinent l'hypothèse voulant que cette différence provienne des types de dénominateurs utilisés, dans un cas les effectifs d'individus, dans l'autre les effectifs en équivalents temps complet (ETC) calculés à partir des heures rémunérées. Ils essaient aussi de comprendre pourquoi l'utilisation de types de dénominateurs différents produit des résultats aussi contrastés. Les effectifs en ETC apparaissent comme un dénominateur mieux adapté au calcul du taux d'incidence des lésions parce qu'il tient compte à la fois du nombre d'individus et de la durée d'exposition au risque. Toutefois, il est rarement disponible au Québec. Il importe donc d'utiliser des facteurs de correction ou, à tout le moins, de nuancer l'analyse en tenant compte des éléments qui influencent la durée d'exposition au risque, tels le statut d'emploi et certains facteurs organisahonnels.Two recent studies on aging present contradictory findings on the relationship between age and the incidence rate of occupational injuries in the health and social services sector. This article examines the hypothesis that this difference stems from the type of denominator used: in one case, the number of individuals working, and in the other, the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, calculated on the basis of remunerated hours. The article also attempts to determine why use of the different types of denominators produces such widely contrasting results. The FTE figure seems to be a better denominator for calculating the incidence rate of injuries because it simultaneously takes into account the number of individuals and the duration of exposure to risk. This figure is however rarely available in Quebec, so it is important to use correction factors, or least to qualify the analysis by considering aspects that influence the duration of exposure to risk, such as employment status and certain organizational factors.Dos estudios recientes sobre la problemàtica del envejecimiento han producido resultados contradictorios en Io que se refiere a la relaciàn entre la edad y la tasa de incidenda de las lesiones projesionales en el sector de la salud y de los servicios sociales. Los autores examinan la hipôtesis segûn la cual esta diferencia proviene de los tipos de denominadores utilizados, en un caso los efectivos de individuos, en otro caso los efectivos en équivalentes tiempo completo (ETC), calculados a partir de las horas remuneradas. Los autores intentan tambiên comprender porqué la utilizadón de tipos de denominadores diferentes produce resultados tan contrastados. Los efectivos en ETC aparecen corno un denominador mejor adaptado al câlculo de la incidenda de las lesiones puesto que toma en cuenta a la vez el numero de individuos y la duradón de exposidon al riesgo. Sin embargo, se encuentra pocas veces disponible en Quebec. Por lo tanto, es importante utilizar factores de correcdón o, al menos, matizar el anâlisis tornando en cuenta los elementos que influyen en la duradón de exposidón al riesgo, tales corno el estatuto de empieo osi corno dertos factores de la organization

Climate change and occupational health and safety in a temperate climate: Potential impacts and research priorities in Quebec, Canada

The potential impacts of climate change (CC) on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) have been studied a little in tropical countries, while they received no attention in northern industrialized countries with a temperate climate. This work aimed to establish an overview of the potential links between CC and OHS in those countries and to determine research priorities for Quebec, Canada. A narrative review of the scientific literature (2005-2010) was presented to a working group of international and national experts and stakeholders during a workshop held in 2010. The working group was invited to identify knowledge gaps, and a modified Delphi method helped prioritize research avenues. This process highlighted five categories of hazards that are likely to impact OHS in northern industrialized countries: heat waves/increased temperatures, air pollutants, UV radiation, extreme weather events, vector-borne/zoonotic diseases. These hazards will affect working activities related to natural resources (i.e. agriculture, fishing and forestry) and may influence the socioeconomic context (built environment and green industries), thus indirectly modifying OHS. From this consensus approach, three categories of research were identified: 1) Knowledge acquisition on hazards, target populations and methods of adaptation; 2) Surveillance of diseases/ accidents/occupational hazards; and 3) Development of new occupational adaptation strategies