Affiliations: Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et
sécurité du travail du Québec, 505 Boulevard De Maisonneuve Ouest,
Montréal, (Québec), Canada H3A 3C2 | Département des relations industrielles,
Université Laval, Pavillon J-A De Sève, Sainte-Foy, (Québec),
Canada G1K 7P4
Abstract: This article critically reviews 11 participatory ergonomic
interventions carried out in Québec by the Occupational Health and Safety
Research Institute (IRSST). In the introduction, the characteristics of the
approach used are situated in relation to the literature on this subject. Based
on the "Ergo team" formula, the approach aims to provide company personnel
with the skills to analyze and correct hazardous workstations in relation to
musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), using an analysis process that the researchers
developed. Although isolated workstations were corrected, the process aims for
more general impacts on the company. In the 11 interventions, 40 work
situations were analyzed, and in 31 cases, changes were implemented to reduce
MSD risks. The most common changes dealt with the tools/equipment (77.4% and
physical layouts (84%); changes involving work methods (29% and work
organization (12.9%) were less common. The difficulties encountered in the
interventions are summarized, and the possible impacts of the interventions on
the organization and psychosocial factors are discussed. The authors then
address the limitations of the paper and the factors that should be considered
in evaluating such a participatory process. The authors conclude that the
participatory process was successful in implementing changes in companies and
that other studies are necessary for a better understanding of the process and
its impacts.
Keywords: Participatory ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders, evaluation of intervention
