Researchers: Jean-Pierre Brun (U. Laval), Clermont Bégin (U. Laval)

In a context of technological, economic and organizational change, the activities of prevention specialists are becoming more complex. In their search for more effective prevention, joint sector-based associations and the CSST in particular, are increasingly interested in front-line prevention workers. The study, conducted in the sawmill, pulp and paper, and panel board sectors, revealed that, in order to be effective, prevention specialists, faced with heavy workloads, complex bureaucracy and contradictory guidelines, must acquire listening, mediation and consensus-building skills in addition to their technical expertise. They must also remain accessible and visible in the field. Based on the results of this study, Université Laval is offering customized training programs to prevention specialists.