September 2015

Inspections with fines linked to reduced injuries: IWH systematic review

There’s strong evidence that regulatory health and safety inspections that result in a citation or penalty are effective in reducing work-related injuries. This is according to a recent Institute for Work & Health (IWH) systematic review on regulatory enforcement, which also finds general deterrence—the mere chance that employers may get inspected one day—is not as effective. More findings from this systematic review are available in a recent At Work article.

Read the article

Unionized workplaces report lower rates of injuries that lead to days off work: IWH study

A new study by IWH suggests there may be a “union safety effect.” The study looks at seven years of injury claims data from a nearly comprehensive sample of Ontario’s industrial, commercial and institutional construction sector. It finds unionized workplaces report more claims in total, but fewer involving time off work.

Read about the study

Alf Nachemson Memorial Lecture to highlight stories of research use at Ontario’s WSIB

Over the last decade, Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has undertaken significant reforms to improve case management and vocational rehabilitation services. In leading these change initiatives, former executive Judy Geary drew on international research on effective practices in work disability prevention. In the 2015 Alf Nachemson Memorial Lecture, to be held Thursday, October 29 in Toronto, Geary will share lessons learned in integrating research evidence in the reform of valued public services. This year’s lecture will also celebrate the Institute’s 25th anniversary!

Sign up for the lecture

Supporting workers with arthritis does not drain employer resources: IWH video

September is Arthritis Awareness Month. To mark the month, IWH has produced a new video featuring IWH Senior Scientist Dr. Monique Gignac. She talks about her study of the need, availability and use of benefits among workers with arthritis. The take-away message? Most affected workers don’t need frequent support, and when they do, the benefits and accommodations they need are those already offered by many employers.

Watch the video

Be part of PREMUS 2016: Submit your abstracts now

As the host of PREMUS 2016, IWH is accepting abstracts from researchers in the field of work-related musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) prevention. The Ninth International Scientific Conference on the Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders takes place June 20-23, 2016 in Toronto. Share your discoveries about the trends, innovations and emerging issues in the field. The deadline for abstract submissions is October 30, 2015.

Submit your abstract

Upcoming IWH plenaries address injury prevention for caregivers, return to work

Whether health-care workers or family members, caregivers are injured at alarming rates. In an IWH plenary on September 22, Dr. Tilak Dutta and Tara Kajaks of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute share research on reducing the risk of MSDs among caregivers. On September 29, IWH’s Dr. Peter Smith compares return-to-work challenges faced by workers with psychological injuries versus those with MSDs, and by older workers versus younger ones.

See the plenary schedule

IWH president joins panel established to examine violence on health-care workers

In addition to exposure to infectious disease, musculoskeletal injuries and trips, slips and falls, health-care workers also have to contend with violence and assault as a work hazard. To address this risk, the province of Ontario has established a Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care Leadership Table made up of stakeholders and experts. IWH President Dr. Cameron Mustard has been appointed to this panel, which will implement a plan to make hospitals safer, reduce incidents and change attitudes on workplace violence.

Find out more

Reducing MSDs in the health-care sector: A one-day conference hosted by CRE-MSD

Save the date: On October 26, the Centre for Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) is hosting a one-day conference on reducing MSDs in the health-care sector. Watch how new equipment and techniques are being used for the comfort of clients and the safety of the caregiver. Learn about ergonomic redesign and its application in the building of a new hospital. If you’re interested in reducing absenteeism and increasing employee engagement in the hospital, long-term care or community health setting, this conference is for you.

Register for the conference

Uyen Vu
Communications Associate
613-979-7742
uvu@iwh.on.ca