Transfert de connaissances

Workplace appropriation of research results has always been one of the IRSST's priorities, just like its commitment to share its expertise and knowledge with its partners on a regular basis. Furthermore, the IRSST implemented an institutional strategy four years ago; one of its main objectives is the use of the results by its different partners.

In past years, result exploitation practices have considerably evolved within the institute. They are now based on an extensive background of knowledge, leading-edge expertise, and its solid network of collaborators who play a vital role as intermediaries.

The scientific knowledge acquired in the context of studies is transferred to the scientific community, which uses this data to support other research. Moreover, some studies on specific issues cannot be directly transferred to workplaces.

Result transfer strategy
By choosing to make its research consistent with its partners' concerns, the IRSST speculated that the use of the results would increase. This strategy has proven successful in many respects.

The result transfer strategy is founded on appropriate management practices and concrete actions to promote the appropriation of the research results. It is based on an efficient contribution by its partners who play the role of intermediaries. The strategy consists of three points:

More than 50% of all the IRSST's research is carried out in collaboration with intermediaries.

Follow-up committee
If the planned research so allows (action research, field research), it is recommended to set up a follow-up committee that will accompany the researchers throughout their work. This committee will promote the research process and ensure a better application of the results in the workplaces concerned.

Role of Follow-up Committee
The follow-up committee's role is to familiarize itself with the objectives of the research project, ensure that they dovetail with the needs identified and determine the feasibility of the proposed undertaking so that at the end of the day, the results can be useful and usable. A good knowledge and understanding of the research on the part of the committee members is essential. In addition, in order to ensure the smooth functioning of the committee, there must be constant communication with the research team, so that the follow-up committee members can guide the research team toward the best resources and facilitate field contacts. If necessary, the follow-up committee assists the researchers in solving problems encountered during the study. As the research results take shape, the follow-up committee and the research team work together to develop an application plan in which each partner is involved. This plan may include several segments:

Composition of Follow-up Committee
Based on their interests and the role of intermediary that they may be required to play, the members of the follow-up committee may come from the following sectors:

For further information regarding the participation of a follow-up committee in a research project and its specific make-up, feel free to contact us.

An intermediary is a partner in occupational health and safety who ensures that the results and recommendations of a research study are transferred to the target clientele, meaning the working community. The main intermediaries are: the CSST; joint sector-based associations (ASP); the occupational health network (MSSS, RR, CLSCs); employer, union and professional associations; health and safety committees; prevention mutuals; and in some cases, manufacturers and companies.

The main assets of the intermediaries, many of whom have a preventive mission, are their presence and credibility in the working community, as well as their important transfer role.

Choosing a good intermediary is determinant in ensuring the successful transfer of research results. The IRSST has therefore implemented means for involving the intermediaries as soon as a project is conceived. It has established a committee that examines all the research protocols as soon as they are submitted, as well as all the projects that are completed during a year in order to explore the best avenues for transferring information and for supporting researchers in their knowledge promotion process.

The following example clearly illustrates the importance of good intermediaries:

Propane-powered vehicles

Two IRSST research projects had revealed certain problems related to the inadequate maintenance of propane-powered internal combustion vehicles, a major cause of worker exposure to carbon monoxide. Supported by a network of partners who collaborated in the dissemination of information in the field, the IRSST successfully transferred the results of its work to more than 6000 professionals and workers in the context of an awareness campaign. However, it was clear that to optimize the community's appropriation of the knowledge, transfer efforts had to be pushed even farther, namely as far as school desks. Therefore, to meet the need for mechanics training, the IRSST joined forces with three relayer-partners essential in establishing a professional development program: the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail, the Ministry of Education, and the Seigneurie des Milles-Îles school board. Together, they not only developed a training program tailored to mechanics and a learning guide, but also saw to the training of instructors. The result: nine school boards were able to offer this new training program in this ongoing process.

Transferring expertise
Transferring expertise is one of the major roles played by the IRSST in occupational health and safety. For many years now, numerous transfer activities have been regularly carried out and have translated mainly into training courses given by its personnel, through the organization of and participation in workshops and regional colloquia, and by holding conferences. This is one good example of a transfer activity:

Over the years, the IRSST has acquired recognized expertise in evaluating the risks associated with the use of hazardous machines as well as relating to the different existing protective devices. In 2001, the IRSST's scientists made it their job to transfer this expertise to the main intermediaries, namely the CSST inspectors who regularly intervene with personnel in plants. The collaboration of two joint sector-based associations, one in the transport-equipment and machine manufacturing industry (ASTFEM), and the other in the textile industry (Préventex), was essential for scientific knowledge to be transformed and adapted into training tools that the community can use. Private firms also joined the partners, while the Université de Sherbrooke developed a course to familiarize students and teach them about the importance of machine safety.

In total, more than 500 people were associated with one of the transfer activities in 2002: training sessions, workshops, regional colloquia, etc.