Vibrations and OHS : A Low-Cost System for Measuring Hand-Handle Coupling Forces

An inexpensive system for measuring the forces exerted between a user’s hand and the handle of a vibrating portable power tool was developed, and the results of usability testing with real vibrating tools in a context simulating field conditions were positive.

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Protecting against Falls from Heights: Updated Guide and New App

The Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) has updated its technical guide Protecting against Falls from Heights – Horizontal Lifeline Design. In addition, an online application that incorporates the main parameters required for designing horizontal lifelines has been launched.

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Lobster Fishers: Preventing Falls Overboard

Today, the English version of a video about preventing falls overboard from lobster boats was made available by the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST). The video, entitled Setting the Course for Safety: Preventing Falls Overboard, highlights the preventive strategies that have been found to be the most effective and easily adopted by the greatest number of fishing crews. The French version of the video was launched on February 11 at the annual meeting of the Standing Committee on Québec Fishing Vessel Safety (SCFVSQ), held in Rimouski.

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A first portrait of employment and workplace health and safety among 15-year-olds based on the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD)

The Institut de la statistique du Québec and the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) today made available to the public a fascicle and a report on youth employment during the school year. The results presented in these two publications are based on analyses of QLSCD data collected in 2013, when the teenagers were about 15 years of age and most of them were in Secondary 3.

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Best Practices Guidance for Nanomaterial Risk Management in the Workplace

The Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) just published the second edition of its "Best Practices Guidance for Nanomaterial Risk Management in the Workplace”.

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Support Tool for Choosing Respiratory Protection against Bioaerosols in the Workplace

After consulting potential users, the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) has launched an online tool for choosing respiratory protection against bioaerosols (toxins, bacteria, viruses, mould spores, etc.). Designed for industrial hygienists, physicians and health-care professionals, the tool uses a control-banding system developed by researchers at the IRSST and the Université de Montréal, working with an expert committee. It is a user-friendly way to select the appropriate respiratory protection for a workplace, based on the infectious or non-infectious bioaerosol hazards and workers’ exposure level.

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Rehabilitation of workers with knee osteoarthritis

The Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), in collaboration with the Réseau provincial de recherche en adaptation-réadaptation (REPAR-FRSQ), has just published a literature review of the risk factors associated with the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis (knee OA), the quality and relevance of the evaluation instruments used during rehabilitation, and clinician interventions. The specialists estimate that by 2026, two-thirds of people aged 55 to 64 will develop knee OA, a disease that often causes functional limitations and chronic disabilities and complicates the return to work.

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Safe Plastic Injection Molding Machines and Auxiliary Equipment

To prevent serious and even fatal accidents, the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) has published safety checklists for horizontal plastic injection molding machines with auxiliary equipment. The checklists meet the expressed needs of the plastics processin...

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Response of the Human Body to Vibrations on Elastic Seats

As part of an exploratory study, researchers assessed the validity of a system of measuring the distribution of pressure at the body-seat interface to estimate the dynamic behaviour and coupling effects of a person sitting on an elastic seat exposed to vertical vibration. The experimental testing wa...

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Better Support for 911 Call Centre Agents

It has been shown that handling difficult emergency calls generates considerable emotional strain and a large workload, which can increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in 911 call centre agents. Researchers at the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) wanted to establish a baseline of existing support practices with a view to proposing an approach for improving the support provided to these workers. The researchers interviewed managers, trainers and agents about the support currently provided for dealing with various difficult situations such as arrogant callers or people who are panicking, suicidal or mentally ill. The interviewees were also asked about the improvements they would like to see in the support offered.

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