Pénibilités des activités de service et santé des Agents Spécialisés des Écoles Maternelles

• Main Authors: Catherine Delgoulet, Annie Weill-Fassina, Céline Mardon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Association Recherche et Pratique sur les Activités 2011-04-01
• Series: Activités
• Subjects: work organization; service activities; work load; health; age; Infant School Assistants
• Online Access: http://journals.openedition.org/activites/2493

The study examined the working conditions of Infant School Assistants (ISAs) who perform three types of task : cleaning, canteen work and educational classroom assistance in schools. It was carried out through a local authority and the aim was to understand the different types of strain resulting from ISAs’ strenuous working conditions and how these change with age. These results were to be used to predict the consequences of ageing and to devise preventive actions to avoid the onset of disease and accidents in the workplace. The central hypothesis was that the strenuous nature of their activities is linked to the combination and diversity of tasks. This hypothesis was based on previous research carried out on the concept of “strenuous working conditions” for similar jobs and activities (such as cleaning, or institutional catering). Data on different work activities was obtained through interviews, observation and questionnaires. The results show that despite the real interest the ISAs take in their job, they are weighed down by the multiplicity of tasks and managers. These factors both contribute to increased difficulties at work by creating task overlaps or interference, and by cutting the ISAs off from the “educational community”. Hence, the results highlight the impact on perceived health and safety at work, especially as ISAs age.