Montréal, April 17, 2007 — The Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) is pleased to inform its partners about the signing of a new partnership agreement with the Agence française de sécurité sanitaire de l’environnement et du travail (Afsset). This agreement has just been signed by the Afsset’s CEO, Dr. Michèle Fromet-Védrine, and the IRSST’s president and CEO, Diane Gaudet.
Various collaborations
The agreement establishes the parameters governing bilateral collaboration in occupational health and safety (OHS) research and expertise activities. This framework will promote exchanges and cooperation regarding the availability of and access to qualified resources, provisions of expertise, and the production of data or results in the context of studies carried out jointly by the two organizations or entrusted to either of the signatories.
Satisfied with the conclusion of this agreement, Diane Gaudet stated that she is convinced that the ”pooling of resources will increase the efficiency and capacity to produce, disseminate and promote the results of research and expertise activities carried out by the two organizations to the benefit of the working community. This agreement is added value for the IRSST, but also for our partners and for all Québec workers and employers.”
Common interest
A list of themes for which the IRSST and Afsset have a shared interest was established. The two organizations hope to pool their efforts in order to develop knowledge and expertise in three fields in particular:
- Exposures to physical and physicochemical nuisances (cumulative workplace exposures to chemical substances; exposure to short asbestos fibres, to tremolite, to beryllium)
- Risk assessment and management tools (good practices for the use of nanoparticles; estimation of heat stress, application of limit values)
- Methodology (tools and organization of scientific monitoring in occupational health)
The results of this agreement will be the subject of an annual follow-up and evaluation, and its application will be assessed at the end of a four-year period so that adjustments can be made, if necessary.
It should be noted that Afsset is an administrative public agency of the French government under the supervision of the ministers responsible for health, ecology and labour. It is at the heart of the health, environment and occupational health information and scientific expertise structure.
