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KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER NEWS
Since its creation five years ago, <strong>the</strong> Knowledge Transfer <strong>and</strong> Partner Relations Department has been involved
in a process of ongoing reflection aimed at improving its practices.
It draws inspiration from numerous sources by, among o<strong>the</strong>r things, attending international <strong>and</strong> local meetings on knowledge
transfer, <strong>and</strong> listening attentively to clients during projects <strong>and</strong> <strong>research</strong> activities. Its many efforts in this regard have paid off. The
External Evaluation Committee noted in its report that this department has helped improve our client outreach <strong>and</strong> above all, ensure
that those likely to benefit from <strong>the</strong> results of <strong>the</strong> IRSST’s <strong>research</strong> projects are informed <strong>the</strong>reof.
Made up of social partners, <strong>the</strong> follow-up committees that lend <strong>the</strong>ir field expertise to <strong>research</strong>ers during <strong>the</strong> definition, development,
<strong>and</strong> execution of <strong>research</strong> projects also constitute a winning formula that is met with a high measure of satisfaction, according to
<strong>the</strong> results of a partner consultation process.
A Web site, a safety checklist, a video, <strong>and</strong> an exchange network are prime examples of <strong>the</strong> role <strong>and</strong> concrete achievements of <strong>the</strong>
Knowledge Transfer <strong>and</strong> Partner Relations Department.
SOLUB
For nearly 20 years, <strong>the</strong> IRSST has helped fund <strong>the</strong>
work of Université de Montréal <strong>research</strong>ers who are
seeking to identify substitute products for solvents, toxic
substances to which over 300,000 Québec workers are
exposed on a regular basis. Substitution is a primary
prevention method that consists of eliminating <strong>the</strong> use of a
hazardous substance by replacing it with a less hazardous
substance or with ano<strong>the</strong>r process. The IRSST worked
with <strong>research</strong>ers on a knowledge transfer project as part
of its ongoing efforts to make its essential knowledge on
this topic available to <strong>the</strong> relevant professionals. One of
<strong>the</strong> results was <strong>the</strong> Solub Web site, which describes nine
steps designed to support OHS professionals who wish to
initiate a solvent substitution process by offering <strong>the</strong>m a
solution tailored to <strong>the</strong>ir needs. Practical tools <strong>and</strong> relevant
resources are suggested for each of <strong>the</strong> nine steps.
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IRSST — 2011 ACTIVITY REPORT