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
Is it worth it? Determining the costs and benefits of workplace interventions
Published:
At Work article
Young worker injury – it’s the job that matters
In terms of injury risk, the type of job or workplace matters more than the nature of the young workers themselves.
Published:
At Work article
Systematic reviews now under one umbrella
Recently, the Institute consolidated its various review activities into a new Systematic Reviews Program, with special emphasis on preventive interventions in the workplace and with a new emphasis on consulting stakeholders.
Published:
At Work article
Four roundtables, 50 voices: Moving from research evidence to action
The Institute and the Research Secretariat of Ontario’s Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) organize a series of Roundtables to identify common research needs and to discuss better ways to cultivate the researcher and decision-maker relationship.
Published:
At Work article
Our partners provide important guidance to systematic reviews
Practitioners bring their expertise to the table and provide important feedback at several stages of the systematic review process.
Published:
At Work article
New centre aims to improve return-to-work outcomes
The newly-opened Centre for Research Expertise in Improving Disability Outcomes (CREIDO) will focus on the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of chronic MSK pain and disability.
Published:
At Work article
Systematic review finds little evidence in support of back belts
Is wearing a back belt really effective in preventing and/or reducing occupational low-back pain? According to a new systematic review by researchers at the Institute for Work & Health, there is limited evidence to support their use.
Published:
At Work article
Institute scientists define and track precarious employment in Canada
Dr. Emile Tompa talks about how precarious employment can affect workers' health and well-being
Published:
Sharing Best Evidence
OHS management audit instruments: summary of a literature review
What is known about the reliability and validity of occupational health and safety (OHS) audit instruments? This narrative literature review looks at OHS audit tools for OHS management systems, including those designed for high-hazard and high-reliability operations.
Published:
Sharing Best Evidence
Preventing MSDs among computer users: summary of a systematic review
This systematic review examines studies on the effects of workplace interventions on two of the most common health complaints among computer users: visual symptoms and upper-body musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
Published:
Sharing Best Evidence
Systematic review of risk factors for injury among youth: summary
Young workers are more likely than older workers to sustain work injuries, and as a result, significant resources have been spent on young worker safety programs. This systematic review takes a comprehensive look at the factors that lead young workers to get injured.
Published:
Research Highlights
Ontario has lowest young worker injury rate
A study of injury rates among young workers finds Ontario has the lowest rate and Saskatchewan the highest.
Published:
Research Highlights
Some herbal drugs may ease back pain in short term
A Cochrane review of treatments for low-back pain finds positive results for three herbal medicines, particularly Devil's Claw. However, no evidence exists to suggest that any of these substances are safe and useful for long-term use.
Published:
Research Highlights
Ergonomics eases pain of repetitive strain injury
A worksite ergonomics program was linked to a drop in frequent and severe pain among those with repetitive strain injuries. Supervisor support and workers' ability to make decisions are also significant factors.
Published:
Research Highlights
How work conditions affect depression
Several workplace factors are connected with depression among female workers, including the balance between worker effort and rewards, and the balance between work and family pressures.
Published:
Research Highlights
Age may predict recovery from shoulder disorders
A study of patients with shoulder disorders finds age is the only factor predicting which patients are more likely to do better after physical therapy.
Published:
Research Highlights
Is traction effective in treating low-back pain?
Based on current evidence, traction as a single treatment is not effective for patients with low-back pain, with or without sciatica. However, there are very few high-quality studies in this field.
Published:
Research Highlights
Canadians report small drop in stressful job situations
Contrary to what's often reported in the media, and to what the researchers expected, there is no evidence that Canadian workers experience more work stressors than they did five years earlier.
Published: