Pour une meilleure intégration de la santé et la sécurité du travail au lean manufacturing

Abstract

The literature remains divided on the ideal context for the integration of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) interventions into continuous improvements. Few significant results and documentation exist on the effectiveness, sustainability and the degree of this integration in the company. This study aims to present some explanatory tracks behind the failure of this integration. It is based on the assumption that the integration of OHS and continuous improvement interventions is not successful because these interventions suffer themselves from results sustainability issues. This is an action research which covers a single case of a Quebec manufacturing company and focuses on musculoskeletal injuries (MSI). Twenty-four employees participated in the study for a period of two months. First, individual interviews allowed the collection of workers’ perceptions on their working conditions. Observations on workstations were also conducted. Then, a documentary analysis and observations on some continuous improvements projects were carried. The majority of employees surveyed believed that continuous improvement activities do not last over time and reported having felt MSI related sore after organizational changes. Observation of several continuous improvement interventions showed that the results of the past are not maintained over time. The integration of OHS in continuous improvement activities is not systematic. For events where this integration occurs, objectives in terms of OHS are not always met and are rarely subject to a follow-up. A correlation does exist between the sustainability of Lean improvements’ results and MSI. The results of continuous improvement events suffer from a lack of sustainability. Thus, the integration of MSI in the conduct of such events cannot guarantee a reduction in MSI cases number.

Date	6 Aug 2014
Original language	French
Awarding Institution	École de technologie supérieure
Supervisor	Sylvie Nadeau (Supervisor)