Abstract

While so-called green jobs are popular at the moment because they are seen as an integral part of sustainable development, very little information is available about them. Since the 1990s, with the help of significant government incentives, the green economy has been booming. In 2010, there were estimated to be over 155,000 green jobs in Quebec and some 682,000 in Canada as a whole.
The objective of this study is to draw up a profile of green jobs in Quebec and assess the potential risks to the health and safety of workers exposed to chemicals and biological agents. This is the first study of its kind in Quebec and it could provide a basis for deciding on future research priorities in the area of green employment. In addition, the study findings may prove useful to occupational hygienists in their efforts to protect workers and prevent workplace illnesses.