Training non-specialists in diagnosing and changing working conditions in sawmills

Montreuil, S., 1990. Training non-specialists in diagnosing and changing working conditions in sawmills. Journal of Occupational Accidents, 12: 119–129.

This paper presents a pilot project in ergonomic training intended for personnel who carry out different supervisory functions within 9 sawmills. The goal of this training is to change working conditions, and it falls within the objectives of prevention training in occupational health and safety.

Training is carried out over a period of 3 months, with 4 days of classes. Teams are formed and proceed between group sessions with their work station study. They do not arrive at the work station with a preestablished checklist. Rather, they observe the activity of the operator and question him about his operational knowledge. This is done in order to identify the operating conditions that determine the operator's activity and that force him to adopt compromises which are often to the detriment of his health or safety. Using this procedure, participants produce recommendations for modifying the work station.

The procedure, the content, and the different steps proposed to the participants for diagnosing the work situation are presented. They are designed in such a way that the participants develop their own tool for analyzing the activity. The educational methods favored in the training are based on the participants' concrete knowledge and allow the development of self-training. An overall summary of their studies is presented.

The discussion presents a first evaluation of this pilot project and certain conditions that led to its success.