La pertinence de tenir compte du sexe des « opérateurs » dans les études ergonomiques : Bilan de recherches

Abstract

Often, publications and communications based on ergonomic studies do not mention the gender of the workers studied. At first glance, it is not obvious that gender is relevant for the analysis of work activity. Since the worker population has a variety of features, the ergonomist’s task is to adapt worksites for all occupants, regardless of gender. Nevertheless, I propose that gender must be taken into account in ergonomic studies. Job and task assignments may differ according to sex, and gender-related characteristics may also be relevant if we consider the means different workers use to accomplish their assigned operations. I conclude that considering the gender of workers is a good way of enriching ergonomic analysis. I suggest that gender is a relevant consideration at various stages in the analysis : when examining the need for intervention, when observing, when discussing the report and when preparing training sessions. The examples used to demonstrate these points are taken from studies done by the CINBIOSE laboratory over the past ten years, usually in collaboration with the three major Québec trade unions.

Keywords

• ergonomics
• gender
• nursing
• education
• work and family