PhareSST (Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé)
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Les premiers soins psychologiques en milieu de travail
No full textLa conférence porte sur les premiers soins psychologiques à offrir à la suite d’un événement potentiellement traumatique vécu en milieu de travail. Elle présente les fondements de cette approche, ses bénéfices pour la santé psychologique des personnes exposées ainsi que des pistes concrètes pour son implantation en entreprise
Enhancing low-frequency transmission loss in aircraft fuselage sidewalls with a flat array of covered helmholtz resonators metamaterial
No full textThis paper explores the use of a flat array of covered Helmholtz resonators (CHRs) as a metamaterial for enhancing the acoustic transmission loss (TL) of aircraft fuselage sidewall. The benefits of CHRs are twofold: (i) decreasing the Helmholtz resonance frequency, thereby targeting lower frequencies, and (ii) providing precise control over the resonant frequency of the metamaterial when integrated into a fuselage sidewall. In this paper, we first examine the vibroacoustic behavior of a single CHR, observing a significant decrease in resonant frequency as the covering plate approaches the neck entrance. Subsequently, we evaluate arrays of CHRs, with different filling factors, and their impact on the TL of an aircraft fuselage sidewall. Placing the CHRs metamaterial in the dead space between stringers improves the TL by up to 10 dB at the panel\u27s ring frequency, demonstrating their potential for low-frequency noise reduction in aircraft. (Elsevier
Vocational training and occupational health: An ergonomics approach to gender and disabilities for social sustainability
No full textThe Work-Oriented Training Path (WOTP) in Quebec, Canada, is a dual vocational training program that offers students with learning difficulties supervised traineeships. Teachers play a pivotal role in managing students\u27 occupational health and safety (OHS), yet must do so under tight time constraints, limited institutional guidance and highly diverse student profiles. Building on an activity-centered ergonomics and capabilities framework, this multiple-case study explores how gender, disabilities, and work determinants shape OHS management within the WOTP, emphasizing their implications for social sustainability. Twenty-seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 WOTP teachers; 497 narrated anecdotes, which are units of speech when teachers\u27 talk about students, were thematically analyzed to capture everyday mechanisms that expand or restrict safe participation in traineeship. The findings highlight challenges stemming from power dynamics between teachers, parents, and employers, which influence the operational leeway available for teachers to implement OHS prevention. Their work organization, conditions and tools also expand or restrict their capability to have an equitable approach. Additionally, the analysis reveals disparities in traineeship placement opportunities and OHS prevention, particularly concerning students’ gender identity and disabilities. Key factors influencing traineeship placements and OHS practices included students\u27 communication skills, perceived autonomy, and suitability of behavior compared to social norms. Students with disabilities are frequently assigned repetitive tasks, increasing exposure to hazards that remain under-recognized. These results underscore the critical need for inclusive OHS prevention, fostering a more socially sustainable approach within vocational training programs
Laryngeal hypersensitivity from the perspective of pain science: An integrative review of empirical studies on associated factors and processes
No full textObjective
Laryngeal hypersensitivity (LHS) is a state of heightened sensorimotor response to stimuli in the upper airway. Although its clinical picture is becoming progressively clearer with recent research progress, specificities about its associated factors and processes remain to be clarified. The aim of this integrative review was to synthesize published empirical data from human studies on LHS, focusing on related factors and pathophysiology.
Study Design and Data Sources
Integrative review of the literature; Pubmed, EMBASE, and Web of Science.
Methods
Keywords associated with the following three main concepts were used to query databases: (1) manifestations potentially associated with an irritable larynx (dysphonia, inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO), chronic cough, and globus); (2) hypersensitivity; and (3) pathophysiology. Peer-reviewed studies in English providing empirical original research data on the pathophysiology of LHS were included, with no restriction based on study design.
Results
In total, 54 papers met the inclusion criteria. Factors potentially associated with LHS were identified, namely (1) psychological and lifestyle factors, (2) upper airway inflammation and injuries from exogenous/endogenous irritants, infections, or mucosal atrophy, (3) sex hormones, (4) metabolic abnormalities, and (5) aberrant respiratory behavior. Given the parallels between pain-related mechanisms and suggested LHS mechanisms, processes identified as putatively contributing to LHS were categorized in light of the current pain literature. Findings suggest that LHS may stem from a peripheral tissue insult, a neuropathic insult, and/or maladaptive neuroplasticity. Gaps in the literature were identified, in part driven by an uneven repartition of research across the various alleged manifestations of LHS. In fact, a large majority of studies pertained to chronic cough, with very few addressing muscle tension dysphonia, ILO, and globus.
Conclusion
Future research can focus on the potential role of hypersensitivity in manifestations such as muscle tension dysphonia and ILO, and on the development of guidelines to identify the specific underlying factors and mechanisms at play in LHS symptoms
Effect of ventilation and wearing a facemask in reducing indoor aerosol transmission
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted research in respiratory protection and transmission routes. Indeed, the pandemic has highlighted a number of issues, including those related to the performance and use of respiratory protective equipment such as masks and ventilation. A plethora of commercial and homemade masks have widely appeared during the pandemic, although they are not yet fully regulated in performance and fit test. However, with regard to the source reduction process, testing facemasks not at the inhalation, but at the source (exhalation) offers a new perspective on how to prevent particle emissions. Different means of transmission reduction are measured and analysed here, and different conditions were compared: the ventilation environment, the type, filtration properties and fit (leaks) of three different facemasks. It was found that ventilation greatly helped reduce the wearer\u27s emissions at source. Additionally, while some materials are certainly more effective than others at inhibiting particle penetration, an even more important factor is the amount of leakage emitted from a mask
A pilot study for measuring roadway exposure through GPS watches worn by bicycle messengers and food delivery workers during work shifts
No full textWe conduct a pilot study on the delivery trips of bike messengers and food delivery workers using GPS-derived data to understand these gig economy jobs. Between July and September 2018, 19 workers were equipped with GPS watches for two consecutive days (n=38 participant-days). One-second signal data was classified using an algorithm to identify idle time periods between trips. This enabled us to extract times, speeds and distances on the road, as well as idle time blocks and as a share of total work shift. Extrapolated data on number of deliveries is compared with exit interview recalls as benchmark. Workers travel on average 31km (SD=13.3km) in shifts of over 5 hours (316 min., SD=84.4 min.) and conduct on average 20 deliveries (SD=5.8). They spend on average 10 min. bouts waiting for food or packages (SD=2.8) and spend on average 36% (SD=11%) of their work shifts on the road. The pilot provides important information on shift characteristics and deliveries and indicates the importance of time idling waiting for packages. This suggests greater per time and per kilometer injury risks than could be estimated when assuming workers are always on the streets. In a context of commission-based work, idling also reduces potential wage
The Omicron variant significantly increases viral load emissions in healthcare settings: Implication for healthcare workers
No full textBackground
The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is transmitted via contaminated droplets and aerosols, raising concerns in healthcare settings where poor ventilation and high patient density can increase airborne viral load.
Aim
This study aimed to assess real-world exposure of healthcare workers to COVID-19-positive patients isolated in designated hospital areas, using continuous 24-h air sampling.
Methods
Air sampling was conducted inside 10 hospital rooms hosting a succession of 38 patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Sampling was performed using 37-mm cassettes placed near the patients\u27 heads. The Omicron variant in the air was detected by RT-qPCR, with results expressed as emission rates based on air changes per hour for each room and correlated with the onset of patients\u27 symptoms.
Findings
The SARS-CoV-2 was detected and quantified in the air of 89% of patients, indicating that 76.7% of the rooms hosting positive patients had detectable levels of airborne virus. This corresponded to an average viral emission rate of 1.45 × 105 ± 2.16 × 105 genomes/h per patient. Expectoration was the sole symptom significantly affecting emission rates, with patient suffering from it exhibiting values three times higher than patients without. Additionally, the room accounted for half of the variance in emission rates, suggesting that the number of patients and the room\u27s prior usage are key determinants of viral particle exposure.
Conclusion
Our findings indicate that healthcare workers face significant exposure when providing care in rooms with positive patients, even when mechanically ventilated. Greater attention should be given to treating and managing these spaces to reduce the potential for viral transmission toward healthcare workers
Exosquelettes au travail : vers une adoption contextualisée grâce à une démarche d\u27intégration structurée
No full textFace aux troubles musculosquelettiques (TMS) persistants, l\u27intégration d\u27exosquelettes (EXOs) offre une solution prometteuse. Une démarche d’intégration structurée et itérative, adaptée aux spécificités des métiers et des environnements de travail, est proposée. Sa mise à l’essai, dans le cadre d’une étude de cas multiples menée dans une diversité de secteurs, est présentée. Les tâches à risque sont identifiées en collaboration avec les acteurs clés, puis observées et analysées via des outils multicritères. Des essais terrain en conditions libres permettent d\u27évaluer plusieurs modèles d\u27EXOs passifs, en tenant compte des préférences des travailleurs. Cette étude met en évidence l\u27importance de proposer des modèles diversifiés pour répondre aux besoins spécifiques des potentiels utilisateurs. La démarche proposée constitue une réponse concrète aux défis actuels d\u27intégration et d\u27adoption des EXOs et qui se démarque des propositions actuelles.
Abstract
Faced with persistent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), the implementation of exoskeletons (EXOs) offers a promising solution. A structured and iterative implementation approach, tailored to the specificities of occupations and work environments, is proposed. Its trial application, as part of a multiple-case study conducted across diverse sectors, is presented. High-risk tasks are identified in collaboration with key stakeholders, then observed and analyzed using multi-criteria tools. Field trials under real-world conditions allow for the evaluation of several passive EXO models, taking workers’ preferences into account. This study highlights the importance of offering diverse models to meet the specific needs of potential users. The proposed approach provides a concrete response to the current challenges of integrating and adopting exoskeletons (EXOs) and stands out from existing proposals
Do urinary metabolites reflect occupational exposure to organophosphate flame retardants? A case study in electronic waste recycling workers
Full text linkOrganophosphate esters (OPEs) are commonly used in electronic devices to meet safety standards, but electronicwaste recycling (e-recycling) workers may face significant exposure to those potentially hazardous compounds in their workplace. We examined the relationship between urinary OPE metabolites and their parent compounds in the air, in Canadian e-recycling facilities. We collected personal air samples and end-of-shift urine samples from workers at six e-recycling facilities. We employed linear and Tobit regression models to assess associations between air concentrations of triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) and three metabolites, of tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and two metabolites, of tris (2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP) and two metabolites, of tris (1,3- dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP), and of tris (2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP) and one metabolite each. The 85 participants, mostly male (78 %) and aged between 25 and 54, had concentrations of OPEs detected in 90–100 % of air samples, with geometric means of TPhP, TCEP, TBOEP and TDCPP, of 351, 404, 261 and 250 picomoles per cubic metre respectively. The proportion of detection of their corresponding metabolites varied between 32 % and 98 %. Regression models including the urinary flow rate as a covariate showed that a doubling of the air concentration of TCEP was associated with a 42–107 % increase in its metabolites, and a doubling of air concentration of TBOEP, with a 77 % increase. The paucity of data on the toxicokinetics of OPEs limits the determination of appropriate urinary metabolites to monitor OPE occupational exposure. Such additional data, in combination with workplace contextual information, may help clarify the major routes of exposure and the corresponding contributing sources