Start of the Season in a Seasonal Work Context: A Better Understanding of the Difficulties Experienced by Seasonal Workers in the Food Processing Industry for the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Author:

Goupil Audrey1,Major Marie-Eve123

Affiliation:

1. Faculty of Physical Activity Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada

2. Department of Industrial Relations, University of Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada

3. CINBIOSE Research Centre, Montreal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada

Abstract

The specific period of the start of a new working season and a return to work after the off-season seems to be a critical moment for the musculoskeletal health of seasonal workers. This study aims to identify the difficulties and working conditions encountered by seasonal workers in this particular period of the working season which may increase the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). An in-depth ergonomic work activity study, combined with a multiple case study of eight seasonal workers from a meat processing facility, was conducted. Various interviews (n = 24) and observations of work activity, organization, and production (n = 96 h) were held at different moments (off-season, return to work at the start of the season, and during the season). Critical work situations exposing workers to WMSD risks emerged and highlighted a diversity of difficulties, such as accomplishing work activity involving strong physical strain and a significant and underestimated mental load, and having to rapidly develop new skills or re-learn working strategies after a long off-period. The study findings have implications for developing actions to prevent WMSDs that target working conditions and support a return to work for returning seasonal workers and a start of work for new seasonal workers, and to address work disability in this context.

Funder

Équipe de recherche interdisciplinaire sur le travail Santé-Genre-Égalité (SAGE)

Publisher

MDPI AG

Reference53 articles.

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2. Hudson, D.S. (2013). Development and Validation of a Proactive Ergonomics Intervention Targeting Seasonal Agricultural Workers. [Master’s Thesis, Lethbridge University].

3. Injury rates and psychological wellbeing in temporary work: A study of seasonal workers in the New Zealand food processing industry;Schweder;N. Z. J. Employ. Relat.,2015

4. Major, M.E., Wild, P., and Clabault, H. (2023, April 27). Travail Saisonnier et Santé au Travail: Bilan des Connaissances et Développement D’une Méthode D’analyse pour le suivi Longitudinal des Troubles Musculosquelettiques. Available online: https://www.irsst.qc.ca/publications-et-outils/publication-irsst/i/101081/n/travail-saisonnier-et-sante-au-travail.

5. Gouvernement du Canada (2023, April 27). Permanence de L’emploi (Permanent Et temporaire) Selon L’industrie, Données Annuelles. Available online: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/fr/tv.action?pid=1410007201.

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