Appendix 1.A – Limitations associated with this content

The central database of the CNESST consulted for this exercise reflects only a very small proportion of injuries involving common mental disorders (CMDs), despite their importance in society in general, and therefore does not reflect the extent of the problem.

The nature of the injury coded in the CNESST’s administrative files is linked to the injury that led to the opening of the file. This nature remains unchanged even if there is a change in the worker’s psychological state during the return-to-work trajectory. Thus, any deterioration in the psychological state of a worker suffering from an MSD is not visible in the CNESST’s administrative files.

Due to limitations associated with the methodology, the estimate of occupational injury costs likely represents an underestimate of “true” costs.

First, disbursements have an average maturity of about three years. The estimated costs therefore do not include disbursements that occurred after the maturity period. In addition, the economic indicators are not representative of the situation of all occupational injuries occurring in Quebec, but only of those declared and accepted by the CNESST. Secondly, several cost elements were not included in the estimates (e.g. property damage, overtime, temporary assignment, etc.).