Researchers: Danièle Champoux (IRSST), Marguerite-Michelle Côté (IRSST)

The garment industry is still one of the largest job sectors in Quebec with more than 40 000 workers in 1992. It is also a sector in which health and safety problems are a great concern. The researchers' hypothesis was that in these circumstances, adaptive strategies had to be developed by workers and managers. The aim of this project was to examine these strategies. The researchers visited 12 garment factories to study their production processes and conduct a series of interviews with employers, workers, representatives of employer and worker associations, and consultants. Three main types of adaptive group strategies were identified: collaboration, consultation and confrontation. These strategies can exist simultaneously in an organization. Collaborative strategies focus on problem solving independently of the hierarchical structure within the organization. Consultative strategies also focus on problem solving, but all hierarchical levels and the network of social support outside the organization are involved. Several industries make the most of the advice from consultants, CSST officers or call on their sector-based association (ASP). At the request of the organizations, the ASP will help them set up an occupational health and safety committee and manage an accident file or will give them advice on issues of lay out and organization. Confrontational strategies are based on denial, high-conflict relations and defence of one's own interests. In the latter case, means to contest compensation claims take precedence over those that lead to preventive or curative solutions.

Research report

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