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.

View of books on shelves in university library
At Work article

Research key to finding way forward during WSIB reform: Nachemson speaker

Former Workplace Safety and Insurance Board executive reflects on value of research in policy-making
Published:
Two workers in a warehouse consult document
At Work article

Users of IWH’s participatory ergonomics guide report better awareness of key steps

Evaluation study finds high interest in participatory ergonomics, but little opportunity for implementation
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Two ironworkers walking on steel beams against a blue sky
At Work article

IWH study in construction sector suggests unionized firms are safer

First industry-wide study in Ontario by Institute for Work & Health finds unionized construction workers report more claims overall but fewer claims that result in time off work
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Silhouette of a worker in a darkened hallway
At Work article

Injured shift workers report poorer health outcomes than injured day workers: study

IWH study finds people who work shifts no more likely to leave job, despite poorer health two years after injury
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Female colleagues smiling at a meeting
At Work article

Evidence-based questionnaire helps JHSCs pinpoint strengths, weaknesses

Assessment tool by CREOD helps point the way forward for joint health and safety committees
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Restaurant manager looks at survey
At Work article

IWH leading indicator tool wins over advocates across Canada

The eight-item IWH-OPM is adopted in several provinces as a measure of health and safety performance in workplaces
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Close-up of file folders of funding projects
At Work article

Grant round-up: Measuring OHS investment, impact of mandatory training and more

Diversity in research topics and methods seen in upcoming projects at Institute for Work & Health
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A mom at her dining table goes through bills
At Work article

Workers’ comp benefits keep poverty low among permanently impaired workers and their families, study by IWH finds

Ambitious study of earnings of injured and non-injured workers over 10 years finds benefits play important role in reducing poverty among permanently impaired
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Two workers look over document at a large construction site
At Work article

Inspections with penalties linked to lower injuries: IWH review

Institute for Work & Health systematic review on regulatory enforcement finds strong evidence for effectiveness of inspections with fines and citations
Published:
A hospital emergency sign
Issue Briefing

Divergent trends in work-related and non-work-related injury in Ontario

An IWH study found strongly diverging trends in the annual incidence of occupational injury and non-occupational injury among working-age adults in Ontario from 2004 to 2011. This Issue Briefing highlights opportunities to improve the monitoring of injury across Canada.
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Pencil with questionnaire
At Work article

IWH research on vulnerable workers leads to tool for measuring risk factors

29-item survey gauges vulnerability via workplace hazards, policies, procedures and worker awareness
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A doctor reviews a chart with someone over the phone
At Work article

Workers’ compensation systems vary greatly in their medical assessment practices

Differences in use of medical assessments may point to solutions to common challenges, IWH study suggests
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open journal in library
At Work article

IWH research plays key role in shaping WSIB policies that led to better outcomes

New case studies describe how Institute findings on return to work, recovery and retraining were ‘formative’ in changes at Ontario’s workers’ compensation board
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View of books on shelves in university library
At Work article

Practitioners in workplace health and safety value research in decisions but lack for time

IWH study suggests OHS professionals would welcome a one-stop shop to find lay-friendly research
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A woman at her desk takes notes at computer terminal
At Work article

Online office ergonomics training program now available from IWH

IWH’s eOfficeErgo: Ergonomics e-Learning for Office Workers is an evidence-based training program that leads to healthy computing practices and postures among office workers
Published:
Downtown Toronto street scene
At Work article

Mark your calendars for PREMUS 2016

World scientific conference on MSD prevention takes place June 20-23, 2016
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A bearded man in shadows
At Work article

Work disability puts people at risk of premature death, study finds

Innovative 19-year follow-up study from IWH finds people with permanent impairment face higher risk of early death—especially those injured in younger years
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View from the ground of utility technician working on hydro lines
At Work article

Nachemson lecturer shared lessons from 20 years of tracking impact at NIOSH

Lecture by Dr. Paul Schulte examined efforts to measure impact at U.S. federal research agency
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Overhead view of a crowd of people crossing an intersection
At Work article

Premium rates, work demands play role in whether injuries involve time loss

IWH study finds the distinction between lost-time and no-lost-time claims goes beyond injury severity
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A woman grimaces after falling off her bike
At Work article

Work-related injuries decline in Ontario but no reduction found in non-work injuries

Study of injury trends in Ontario finds divergence in work-related and non-work injury rates
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