Abstract

Many companies in the manufacturing industry have recently implemented semi-independent work groups, which exert collective control over several aspects of production. To measure the effect of this new form of work organisation on occupational health and safety, the American and European literature on the subject was reviewed, and an inventory of Quebec cases drawn up. Companies having adopted this form of work organisation usually became significantly more productive, and their workers gained independence and skills and developed a sense of accomplishment. On the other hand, the same workers also reported a higher task load and increased stress. There was no consensus in the literature concerning the effect of semi-independent work groups on health and safety: while some studies reported a reduction in accidents, others reported an increase in stress-related illness, and yet others reported poorer results for all these outcomes.