Plain-language summaries
Institute for Work & Health (IWH) plain-language summaries condense research findings in various formats. At Work articles explain study results with comments from the study leads. Research Highlights summarize journal articles in easy-to-read, digest formats. Sharing Best Evidence summaries highlight findings from systematic reviews and other types of reviews conducted or led by IWH researchers. Issue Briefings discuss key research findings from IWH or elsewhere on topics that are of particular interest to policy-makers.
At Work article
Ergonomics case study: Car parts manufacturer realizes benefits of PE program
An Ontario manufacturer opened its doors to researchers who helped implement a participatory ergonomics (PE) program to improve the musculoskeletal health of workers. The company has since learned that the PE program saved it almost a quarter-of-a-million dollars — and in the most unexpected place.
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At Work article
Community-based research explores impact of job injuries on workers’ lives
The Research Action Alliance on the Consequences of Work Injury has brought together academics and injured workers in a five-year research project that is scientifically documenting and communicating the effects of work injury. As the initiative moves past its halfway mark, the academic and injured worker communities take a look at its achievements and the opportunity it has provided to learn from each other.
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Issue Briefing
“Newness” and the risk of occupational injury
Research is emerging that “newness” is associated with a higher risk of work injury. Whether it’s young workers, workers of all ages new to their jobs, recent immigrants or employees in newly established firms, the evidence indicates that these workers face higher injury rates and/or more hazardous jobs. This Issue Briefing summarizes the key research behind these findings and explores the implications for policy-makers and health and safety service providers.
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At Work article
Mental health and injured workers: Depressive symptoms linked to delayed work-returns
New research from the Institute for Work & Health indicates that depressive symptoms are pervasive among workers disabled by musculoskeletal disorders. For those whose symptoms persist, sustainable work-returns are less likely, and treatment by a mental health professional may be needed to improve recovery.
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At Work article
IWH disability benchmarking partnership helps workplaces improve outcomes, reduce costs
The Institute for Work and Health offers Workplace Disability Benchmarking — a research-based partnership that allows large employers and disability benefit trusts to measure, track and compare disability outcomes and identify program improvements that will protect employee health and the bottom line.
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At Work article
OHS management audits differ in what they assess and how
The nature and delivery of occupational health and safety (OHS) audits vary greatly. As a result, employers should determine why they are auditing and what they hope to find out when choosing an audit that best suits their needs.
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At Work article
Evidence elusive on procedures used to help heal fractures
Do electromagnetic stimulation and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound accelerate the healing of broken bones? Despite their frequent use — to the tune of $500 million a year in North America — solid evidence confirming the effectiveness of these procedures remains elusive, according to two new systematic reviews.
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At Work article
IWH briefing explores business cycles and workers’ compensation
Through its publication Issue Briefing, the Institute for Work & Health provides research-based insights to policy-makers. A recently released briefing discusses the impact of today’s shrinking economy on workers’ compensation claim rates.
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Issue Briefing
Workers' compensation and the business cycle
A worldwide recession has begun in the wake of the Fall 2008 meltdown of financial markets. What is the likely impact of the recession on workers’ compensation costs? Are work-related injuries likely to be more severe? What can we anticipate about claim frequency and severity when recovery occurs and economic growth resumes? This Issue Briefing explores findings from past research on workers’ compensation and the business cycle from IWH and other sources.
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Sharing Best Evidence
Do workplace programs protect upper extremity musculoskeletal health?
Injuries to the upper extremity are common among workers, accounting for about 30 per cent of lost-time claims in Ontario in 2006. The upper extremity includes the neck, shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand. This systematic review looked at the effectiveness of interventions to prevent upper extremity disorders and traumatic injuries.
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At Work article
Pilot program decreases duration and costs of workers’ comp claims
Organizational support to family physicians - including health services case managers to help coordinate care, improve communication with employers and reduce paperwork - can improve the delivery of health care to injured workers and lower costs. Dr. Thomas Wickizer explained how and why.
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At Work article
Small firms need OHS services tailored to their needs
When it comes to occupational health and safety (OHS), small businesses are not large firms on a smaller scale. They have unique features that affect their approach to workplace health and safety, and these features should be taken into account by OHS professionals and policy-makers when designing small-firm programs and services.
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At Work article
New IWH senior scientist reaches out to policy-makers
Getting workplaces, health-care providers and public institutions to understand and adopt evidence-based practices has long been a priority of the Institute for Work & Health (IWH). Now, the IWH is strengthening its ties in particular with the policy-makers within these stakeholder groups
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At Work article
Preventing upper extremity MSDs: What works and what doesn’t
The strongest evidence to come out of a new systematic review from the Institute for Work & Health is that workstation adjustments alone have no effect in preventing upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. However, there are indications that adding ergonomics training to the mix may make a difference.
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At Work article
Tools you can use: A practical way to apply best evidence
The Institute for Work & Health is adding to its collection of user-friendly tools to help you make health, safety and return-to-work decisions based on the best scientific evidence.
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Research Highlights
Manufacturer saves money with participatory ergonomic program
Participatory ergonomic (PE) programs may be worth undertaking based on their financial merits — savings found not in fewer or shorter work-related injury absences but in shorter absences due to non-work injuries.
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Research Highlights
Co-workers play important, but sometimes “invisible” role in RTW
A small but important minority—14 per cent—of injured workers experience recurrent neck pain, accounting for 40 per cent of all lost-time days due to neck pain, according to a study of claims made to Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
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Research Highlights
Work factors affect off-the-job drinking habits
Work factors that affect job stress and job alienation can affect employee drinking behaviours off the job, study finds
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Research Highlights
An approach to developing a return-to-work program
Intervention mapping is a useful framework for developing customized return-to-work (RTW) programs that have been found to be more effective than non-tailored plans.
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Research Highlights
Examining OHS and workers’ compensation in non-profit organizations
While workers in non-profit organizations face a number of work-related hazards, a case study finds that provincial health and safety legislation across Canada is not always well-suited to this sector.
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