Research that matters to protecting the health and safety of workers

The Institute for Work & Health (IWH) is a Canadian leader in work injury and disability prevention research. An independent, not-for-profit organization, IWH conducts and shares actionable research to promote, protect and improve the health and safety of working people.

Latest news & findings

A young worker holding a laptop looks into the distance. Text reads: Institute for Work and Health Strategic Plan, 2023-2027. Building on the past. Looking to the future.

The Institute for Work & Health releases 5-year strategic plan

The Institute for Work & Health (IWH) has released its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, which outlines four strategic directions that will guide the Institute in producing and sharing work and health evidence. This plan is the result of a year-long process that engaged stakeholders, members of the IWH Board of Directors and staff to take stock of IWH’s strengths and identify opportunities and priorities for the next five-year period.

Read the Strategic Plan

A computer technician who uses a wheelchair works at his station

New study examines the job quality of persons with disabilities

Persons with disabilities are not only less likely than those without disabilities to find work. When they do, they are also twice as likely to find themselves in insecure, unrewarding jobs. This was a key finding from a recent IWH study that used a national survey to investigate what kinds of jobs persons with disabilities obtain compared to those without disabilities.

Read about the study

Candle on black background

Marking Day of Mourning

Every year, on April 28, we mark National Day of Mourning to remember those who have died or suffered health consequences due to work hazards. On this day, especially, we renew our efforts to make work safe and healthy for all.

Find out how to mark the day

A group of workers in a well-lit office; the logo for VRAIE/IDEA is on the top left corner

Sign up now: Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) launch event

On Thursday, May 18, the Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) social innovation laboratory is hosting a launch event. This partnered, knowledge-to-practice initiative is focused on building employers’ capacity to hire, promote and retain persons with disabilities, and to create accessible and inclusive workplaces.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/inclusive-design-for-employment-access-idea-launch-…

2023-2024 Syme Research Training Awards now accepting applications

Calling early-career researchers at the master’s or doctoral level intending to study work and health: apply now for a 2023-2024 S. Leonard Syme Research Training Award. Three training awards of $5,000 each are available. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 5, 2023.

Find out more

IN THE CURRENT ISSUE...

IWH's OHS Vulnerability Measure comes out ahead in study of leading indicator tools.

IWH scientist launches a research program on AI, work and health.

One in four young adults in the U.S. have poor mental health—and the lowest earnings among their peers.

And more....

Read the issue

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Tools and guides

Integrate evidence-based policies and practices into your occupational health and safety, return-to-work and rehabilitation programs. IWH has created a number of tools and guides based on our research findings that can help improve program outcomes.

View tools and guides

Impact case studies

Find out how IWH research is making a difference. Read our impact case studies, in which policy-makers, workplaces and other stakeholders in health, safety and disability prevention tell how IWH research helped improve their policies, programs and practices.

Go to case studies

Research summaries

Whether it’s a policy briefing, a systematic review summary or the highlights of a specific research project, we’ve compiled a number of plain-language summaries to help you understand the research we’re doing, what we have found, and how we found it.

Get the summaries

Events

Learn directly from the researchers themselves about their latest findings in health, safety and disability prevention. We host regular presentations (in person or live stream) through our IWH Speaker Series and our annual Nachemson lecture.

See upcoming events