Evaluation of work-analysis tools and an intervention strategy for the prevention of back disorders in the Metal and Electrical Products Fabrication sector Abstract The participatory ergonomic process has often provided interesting results for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) when it has been introduced in companies where the context was favourable to this approach. To learn more about this type of intervention, this study compared the implementation of a participatory approach in a plant with a favourable context and in a company with an unfavourable context. The researchers also wanted to validate in the field a job analysis process designed for varied long-cycle tasks, which are more complex to analyze than repetitive tasks. Throughout the intervention, the difficulties that the ergo groups’ participants had in learning the job analysis process were documented. Optimal results were obtained in a favourable context: major changes were generated and the participants mastered the job analysis process. In an unfavourable context, the results were more modest: the intervention allowed the implementation of several solutions more modest than in the first company. However, problems occurred during the intervention and the ergo group participants had major difficulties learning the job analysis process, even though a significant change was observed near the end. The authors conclude that this analytical process adapted to varied tasks is not generalizable. They believe that further research is necessary in order to develop tools and intervention approaches that are better adapted to companies with a more difficult context. Produced Under this Project Scientific Reports Comparison of the implementation of a participatory ergonomic process and work analysis tools intended for varied tasks in two companies with different contexts Research Report: R-306 Simplified Articles Secteur du métalErgonomie participative et analyse de tâches Volume 17, n0 2 Scientific Publications Participatory ergonomics training in the manufacturing sector and ergonomics analysis toolsSt-Vincent M., Lortie M., Chicoine D.Source : Relations industrielles/Industrial Relations, vol. 56, no 3, 2001, p. 491-515Principales difficultés rencontrées lors d’une démarche d’ergonomie participative menée dans un contexte peu favorableChantal Tellier, St-Vincent M.Source : in Les transformations du travail, enjeux pour l’ergonomie : Actes du congrès conjoint de l’Association canadienne d’ergonomie et de la Société d’ergonomie de langue française / ACE-SELF, (3-5 octobre, 2001 : Montréal, Canada), CD-ROM, vol. 5, 2001, p. 29-34Analysis of the difficulties encountered by the participants in a participatory ergonomics processSt-Vincent M., Laberge M., Lortie M.Source : in Ergonomics for the New Millenium : Proceedings of the XIVth Triennial Congress of the International Ergonomics Association and Ergonomic Society(14th : July 29 - August 4, 2000 : San Diego, California), 2000, volume 2, p. 680-683Comment l'ergonomie participative permet d'implanter des solutions intégrées au travail et au contexte organisationnel, social et économique de l'entrepriseChicoine D., St-Vincent M., Chantal TellierSource : in Congrès de l'Association québécoise pour l'hygiène, la santé et la sécurité du travail / AQHSST, (21e : 28-30 avril, 1999 : Montréal, Canada), 1999, p. 11-18Décoder, évaluer, trier et choisir un équipement de protection individuel : le cas des genouillèresMaud Gonella, Lortie M., Denis D.Source : in Exploration du facteur humain : 36e congrès annuel de l'Association canadienne d'ergonomie / ACE, (36e : 15-18 août, 2005, Halifax, Canada), 2005 Additional Information Type: Project Number: 0097-0590 Status: Completed Year of completion: 2002 Research Field: OSH and Sustainable Prevention Work Environment Team: Marie St-Vincent (IRSST)Denise Chicoine (IRSST)Chantal Tellier (IRSST)Marie Laberge (IRSST)Monique Lortie (Université du Québec à Montréal )Marcel Simard (Université de Montréal)Julio Fernandez (Syn'Act)