2010: An influential voice
Publication of the year
An article co-authored by IRSST toxicologist Ginette Truchon was recognized as “publication of the year” by the Society of Toxicology. Titled “The effect of workload on biological monitoring of occupational exposure to toluene and n-hexane: contribution of physiologically based toxicokinetic modeling,” the article was published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.
The IRSST prize for the best scientific article
The IRSST awarded a researcher from the Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale (CIRRIS), Manon Truchon, its prize for the best scientific article published in the past five years in the field of OHS, along with a $10,000 scholarship. Published in the journal Pain in 2008, the award-winning article was titled “Low-back-pain related disability: An integration of psychological risk factors into the stress process model.” The other authors were Denis Côté (CIRRIS), Lise Fillion (Université Laval), Bertrand Arsenault (IRSST) and Clermont Dionne (Université Laval).
The work done by the laboratories
After years of work, the participation of the IRSST’s laboratories in an ISO standardization committee on organic vapour sampling and testing methods at last bore fruit. The quantification of air-borne isocyanates using a double-filter sampling apparatus and high-performance liquid chromatography was selected by the ISO for inclusion in its standards catalogue, which is recognized the world over.
Faced with the growing number of tests that the Institute was asked to perform, the IRSST modernized and enlarged its microbiology laboratory. The redevelopment of the premises involved the addition of a dark room for epifluorescence microscopy, with a special section reserved for the preparation of culture media. A second Class II laboratory was added for handling DNA and endotoxins, which require a controlled environment.
Manutention – La charge, on la partage colloquium (material handling - sharing the load)
Some 150 people took part in this colloquium, which took stock of the status of research on material handling. Organzed by the Réseau d’échanges sur la manutention (REM), this event was intended for employers, workers and their representatives, as well as any occupational health and safety stakeholders with an interest in material handling.
Policy of open access
The IRSST adopted a policy of open access to scientific literature, which means providing universal, free and fast access to the knowledge published in scholarly journals. As soon as an article becomes openly accessible, the Institute archives the manuscript on its Web site.
2010 institutional colloquium – occupational psychological health
Over 330 people took part in the IRSST’s 2010 institutional colloquium, featuring the theme Santé psychologique : des solutions pour mieux intervenir dans les milieux de travail psychological health: solutions for more effective interventions in the workplace). For the first time, workplace representatives were invited to share their expertise and experiences with implementing solutions, from the perspective of prevention and sustainable return to work.