Coordinator: Chantal Tellier

  • Research projects
  • IRSST publications
  • Scientific publications and communications
  • Tools
  • Prévention au travail articles

Context
In many situations, the elimination or reduction of hazards at source, which is the primary concern of preventionists, cannot be achieved. Every year, there are many cases of workers who are victims of accidents, some of which are serious or even fatal, or workers who develop occupational diseases because they have been exposed to certain hazards that could have been reduced if appropriate protective equipment had been worn. In many cases, the evaluation tools for identifying the best adapted equipment are not known, do not exist, or have not been optimized, or the equipment itself does not meet the protection requirements. The research work carried out at the IRSST on protective equipment has been very diversified, reflecting the variety of hazards to which workers are exposed in their work environments. This research can essentially be grouped under four headings: protective gloves and clothing (protection against chemical, mechanical and physical hazards), fall protection, respiratory protection; and protection against landslides in trenches (bracing).

Objective
The objective of this field is to contribute to the development and application of knowledge whose purpose is to make protective equipment available that offers increased protection for workers exposed to risks and hazards that have not been eliminated at source. The aim of the studies is to provide information and to develop evaluation tools that can be used in selecting the most effective equipment or to develop new equipment, while taking into account requirements relating to its efficiency, reliability and context of use in workplaces, and while providing increased comfort for the workers using it.

Research orientations

• Development of test methods and evaluation of protective equipment;
• Improvement and development of equipment so that it is better adapted to the workplace utilization context;
• Development of tools for predicting the behaviour of protective equipment;
• Studying the human factors related to the use of protective equipment.

 Favoured orientations
The research work is grouped into four thematic programs:

• Protective gloves and clothing: This program deals with the study of protective gloves and clothing for the purpose of evaluating their resistance to mechanical, physical and chemical aggressors, while integrating aspects related to human factors.  The aim of this work is to develop knowledge on the behaviour of materials in relation to the different types of aggressors and on the impact of the equipment's use on physiological functions, motor skills and comfort.  From this, tools can be developed for selecting protective clothing, test methods can be developed, equipment selection criteria can be established, and standards and better performing products can be developed.
• Fall protection: This program deals with the development and application of test methods for identifying personal equipment (lanyards, harnesses, belts, anchorages) and collective equipment (e.g., guardrails, horizontal lifelines) best adapted to different work environments, while taking human factors into account. This research also serves as the basis in developing new products, defining selection criteria, and in developing standards.
• Respiratory protection: This program involves theoretical and experimental studies aiming for a better understanding of the behaviour of the chemical cartridges used in respiratory protective devices in relation to different contaminants, evaluating their performance and service life, and defining selection criteria in relation to the work environments.  The purpose of the work is also to support the updating of the guide developed by the IRSST to accompany the current regulation.
• Shoring: This program consists of studies for developing and applying methods for evaluating different types of shielding for protecting workers.  In particular, the work aims to provide responses to questions raised by the application of the related safety code.

  Our means
  The IRSST laboratory is equipped with test benches for measuring the resistance of gloves to cutting (e.g., TDM-100 instrument) and puncture, based on the requirements stipulated in applicable international standards. Permeation cells are also available for studies on the evaluation of glove resistance to solvents. Furthermore, the IRSST has different setups for evaluating dexterity and sensitivity related to the wearing of protective gloves.  Agreements with laboratories in different universities (École Polytechnique, École de technologie supérieure, Université Laval) have been established as needed to produce setups for evaluating such things as the strength of guardrails, anchorages and bracing systems, as well as the effectiveness and reliability of different fall protection equipment.

  Partners
  The research chair on the materials used in protective clothing and equipment in occupational health and safety is an important partner in studying the mechanical, physical and chemical properties of materials used in the development of protective equipment.  The chair was established in February 2004 as a result of collaboration between the École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), the IRSST and the Centre de technologie du textile (CTT). The IRSST frequently teams up with collaborators from universities (École Polytechnique, École de technologie supérieure, Université Laval, UQAM), OHS research centres (INRS-France, NIOSH in the United States), and standardization organizations (e.g., ASTM's committee F-23 on protective clothing). Over the years, many relationships have been developed with the network of external partners, including joint sector-based associations, equipment manufacturers (e.g., gloves, harnesses, respiratory cartridges, etc.), companies and some municipalities.

  Impacts
  Several of the studies support the Québec occupational safety and health regulations and answer related questions while allowing professionals to be better equipped for identifying the protective equipment best adapted to the work context. The studies also contribute to the advancement of knowledge through publications in the scientific literature. The research results are mainly used to develop national and international standards.  The work is also used to initiate or promote the organization of different colloquia and symposiums, some of which are international.  Significant participation has also been involved in the training of highly qualified personnel in the fields of respiratory protection and protective clothing and gloves, as well as of CSST inspectors and protection engineers in fall protection and bracing.